Festival of Sails kicks of today with a heaps of events at the Waterfront
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Festival of Sails kicks of today with a heaps of events at the Waterfront

There’s only a few days to go until Geelong’s waterfront is transformed into an entertainment hub, with the iconic Festival of Sails kicking off on January 21.

Hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) , the annual festival combines world class sailing on Corio Bay with an array of entertainment for all ages along Geelong’s foreshore.

“The event itself has broadened out so much wider than it historically was,” says Festival of Sails Chairman, Peter Alexander.

“Once upon a time, it was predominantly just a sailing regatta, and as a club that’s just what they did. But particularly as our sponsors, the State Government and the City of Greater Geelong have come on board, the shore-side festival – presented by Geelong Connected Communities – is now an integral part of the event, as much as the sailing.”

The Festival of Sails traditionally starts with the Passage Race from Melbourne to Geelong and 2017 is no different. However, for the first time ever this event includes a Tall Ships Series, with three spectacular tall ships joining the iconic race.

British vessel STS Tenacious, “a monster,” Alexander says, “the Queen Mary of Tall Ships,” and the largest operative wooden ship in the world, will be the official starting boat for the Passage Race and will be joined by Enterprize and SV Alexander Stewart, which will see a flotilla of more than 200 boats of all shapes and sizes, representing all divisions competing at the festival.

As well as participating in the Passage Race, the ships will remain in Geelong for part of the Festival, offering the public on-board tours and sailing journeys, with a fourth tall ship – the Young Endeavour – also anchoring in Geelong from the 24-29 of January.

Throughout the Festival there will be a vast array of entertainment for the entire family, from water-ski shows, market stalls, food trucks, pop-up bars and camel rides through to the Rex Gorell Land Rover Terrapod, beach volleyball, kids’ entertainment and music gigs.

Festival of Sails

Alexander says that with the Cadel Evans race kicking off as their event winds up “it almost creates this nine day waterfront festival, so much more than a three day sailing regatta that it used to be… From Steampacket to Cunningham Pier, to Eastern Beach, for a week there will be food stalls, entertainment, street entertainment, bands, it’s going to be great. I sort of wish we could do more of it!”

The event has ensured a smorgasbord of entertainment in an effort to appeal to a broad audience, which they’ve succeeded. If the beach sports or food trucks don’t appeal to you, then perhaps the music line up might, with legendary Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows headlining. Spread across two stages over six days, he will be joined with other big names such as Dean Ray, Michael Stangel, JR Reyne and Mix Tape (Jason Singh).

Another first for the 2017 event is the addition of Twilight Markets to the program – allowing those having to work during the day to soak up the carnival atmosphere, delicious food and a drink after hours and spend balmy Geelong evenings at the waterfront.

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This is Geelong’s largest annual event, bringing the country’s largest sailing community together and showcasing Geelong at its best to more than 110,000 spectators.

“There’s something for everyone,” says Alexander. “You could easily spend a day there if not more. The big event is of course Australia Day, with fireworks on Thursday night from 9:30pm – always a hit on the waterfront. So come on down and enjoy the spectacle!”

The 2017 Festival of Sails, presented by Rex Gorell Land Rover, will be held from Saturday, January 21 to Thursday, January 26. The RGYC will once again host the Australia Day festivities from 10am on Thursday January 26, with the fireworks presented by Avalon Airport set to go off at 9.30pm.

For more information, visit www.festivalofsails.com.au  or download the app from the App Store or Google Play

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Pics by Saltwater Images