Media Release

Friday, 24 January 2014

Join the fun at the Moonee Valley Festival

Moonee Valley City Council encourages the whole community to join the fun on Sunday, 23 February for its largest annual, free community celebration, the Moonee Valley Festival.

Queens Park will once again come to life for a fun summer day full of excitement with rides, live music and activities for the whole family.

Moonee Valley Mayor Cr Jan Chantry said the festival, now in its 37th year, is the biggest event on the Moonee Valley calendar.

“Every year thousands of people of all ages come to Queens Park to enjoy what’s on offer at the Moonee Valley Festival,” said Cr Chantry.

“This year is set to be more exciting than ever with a local arts expo, roving performers, entertainment stages, business expo sites, food stalls, amusement rides and community activities and displays.

“The Citylink Main Stage will host some of Melbourne’s finest performers includingLatin American band Orquesta Son De La Calle performing Latin rhythms including salsa, mambo and cha cha,” said Cr Chantry.

“My fellow Councillors and I will again host our traditional champagne breakfast, starting at 10am,” said Cr Chantry.

The plan sets the direction for arts and culture activities across Council services and departments for the next four years and is the result of discussions and input from local residents with a passion for the arts.

“There’s also plenty of activities for the kids, with the Rendina Real Estate Kids Kingdom featuring free kids rides brought to you by Moonee Ponds Central and free interactive activities including art, craft and circus skills workshops, giant sand pits, as well as free face painting and stage performances featuring Kids Karaoke.” said Cr Chantry.

“Come along to the Local Arts Expo, brought to you by Essendon Mazda’s new Mazda 3, to find out how you can get involved in local art activities and get your hands dirty with some free art and craft activities throughout the day. This area will feature performances by Moonee Valley Brass and members of the community will come together to perform as the Moonee Valley Festival Community Choir.”

“You can also follow our Art Expo walking trail that will lead you to an art exhibition at the Clocktower Centre,” said Cr Chantry.

Other performances and activities on offer include:

  • The Bendigo Bank Community Expo will showcase local community group exhibits and the Community Stage will feature a diverse range of entertainment by local community performers.
  • Join Peppa Pig in her Taking Turns Stage Show as she jumps in muddy puddles, drives in the car and flips pancakes. See Peppa Pig live on the Main Stage and Kids Stage.
  • The Hall’s Taekwondo Health and Wellbeing Area will showcase local community groups and businesses with a range of interactive activities and workshops for all ages. Council will also launch the Moonee Valley Leisure Challenge on the day so be sure to sign up.
  • Drop by the Sustainability Area and visit the local Community Gardens exhibits and see the Australian Wildlife Lectures display with live and preserved reptiles, spiders, birds and mammals.
  • The Youth Area will feature airbrush art workshops where you can create your own masterpiece on a cap or bag. Or have your photo taken at the free photo booth!
  • Join in the fun at Queens Park Swimming Pool. Play on the giant inflatable and enjoy other fun family activities. Entry is free!
  • Free barefoot bowling at Moonee Ponds Bowling Club between 12 noon and 4pm, children welcome, with Devonshire Tea and refreshments for sale.

Plus, residents can go in the running to win an iPad Air thanks to the Telstra Shop Moonee Ponds.

“All you need to do is write one word on a balloon that describes the Moonee Valley Festival to you, take a photo and post it on social media,” said Cr Chantry.

For full competition details and rules, plus further information about the festival, visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/mvfestivalor contact 9243 8888. The full festival program will be available on Council’s website from Monday, 3 February.

Like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter (@mooneevalleycc) for festival updates and news throughout the day.

The Moonee Valley Festival is sponsored by CityLink, Hall’s Taekwondo, Bendigo Bank,Rendina Real Estate, Essendon Mazda, Moonee Ponds Central, City West Water, and the Moonee Valley Weekly Review.

Festival details:

Sunday, 23 February

10am to 5pm

Queens Park, corner Mt Alexander Roadand Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds

Mel Way ref: 28J6

Travel to the Moonee Valley Festival by public transport or use the free bike parking.

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Alana Stevens, Acting Media and Communications Team Leader
Mobile: 0408 570 106; Email:

mvcc.vic.gov.au | 9243 8888

9 Kellaway Ave – PO Box 126 Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

/mooneevalleycc