2016 Festival of Sails
One of Geelong’s favourite events the Festival of Sails returns to the Geelong Waterfront and Corio Bay for 2016 in what promises to be a huge weekend of sun, music, sail, food and fun.
The event is organised by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and has a heritage dating back to 1844. Over the years it has grown and transformed into one of the premier events on the Geelong region’s calendar attracting visitors from not only all parts of Australia but internationally. The 2016 event is expected to attract over 300 sail craft, 3,000 crew and support and over 100,000 people to the shoreline entertainment.
Sailing begins on Friday the 22nd with the shoreline fun beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday the 23rd continuing through until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, Australia Day.
e main precincts along our magnificent Geelong Watefront. Steampacket Gardens will be transformed into a huge marketplace with food, specialty items and lots of places to relax and watch the roaming entertainment or great acts on the main Stage.
Over the weekend acts like Ella Hooper, Imogen Brough, Taxi Ride, The Kite Machine and Levi Anderson will appear. The stage will also host the Geelong Citizen Ship Australia Day Ceremony at 10:15 on Australia Day.
Transvall Square will be the place if you are young, there will be so much for the kids to do with jumping castles, petting zoos, rides and fun activities.
Fairnie Park overlooking the fishermen’s pier and Eastern Beach Road around the Royal Geelong Yacht Club will feature some great music and the thrilling Land Rover Terrapod where visitors can drive some of the latest model Land Rovers up a moving metal frame to simulate the vehicle’s incredible off road capability.
Eastern Beach and the foreshore along Richie Boulevard will feature market stalls, beach sports and a giant blow-up waterslide. There will even be opportunities for visitors to try water sports like paddle boarding and sailing.
The grounds of the Royal Geelong Yacth Club will be transformed into a huge Regatta Village and the place to be each evening. This ticketed precinct will be the main party area for the thousands who have been out competing on the water during the day. The village will feature great music each night and the ever popular Bundy Rum will be installing a Distillatorium for the length of the festival. Acts appearing at the village over the weekend include the incredible blues of Chris Wilson, Jonny Crosgrove Rocking Duo, Test Pilot Molly and The American Classics.
Once again the Festival of Sail will feature a spectacular fireworks display over the bay, this year the bangs and booms start around 9:30 PM on Monday night and promise to be the most spectacular yet. The fireworks are not the only action in the skies; the amazing RAAF Roulettes will be doing their stuff over Corio Bay on Australia Day around 1:00 P.M.
