Who doesn't love fireworks?
Put a bit of colour into your Saturday night with free fireworks displays over Corio Bay this weekend to mark the start of the renowned Festival of Sails regatta.
Courtesy of The City of Greater Geelong and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, a free fireworks celebration will be held at 9:30pm on Saturday 22 January to celebrate the start of the five-day regatta, which runs until Wednesday 26 January.
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Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said the Council is funding the free fireworks as it ramps up its support for major events across the Greater Geelong region.
“We hope families come to the waterfront because it’s going to be a cracker night,” Cr Sullivan said.
“The festival will be a little different this year because of COVID-19 restrictions but we’re hoping people make the most of the sailing, spectacular fireworks and free live music on offer in venues across Central Geelong.”
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club normally holds a free firework display on Australia Day, but the display has been brought forward this year, with the support of the City, to boost the appeal of the historic sailing event and to help families enjoy free entertainment on a Saturday night.
“The regatta has a proud tradition dating back to 1844 and it really puts the spotlight on Geelong and our beautiful waterfront,” Cr Sullivan said.
“The race normally attracts around 300 yachts and 4,500 sailing competitors to Geelong over the Australia Day holiday period. The fireworks and the entertainment program will provide a much-needed boost for Geelong businesses and artists.”
Festival of Sails Chairman Roger Bennett welcomed the return of the fireworks and thanked the City of Greater Geelong for its support.
“We’re really delighted to see the annual fireworks back on the program for all the community to enjoy,” he said.
“As a major event which would normally attract thousands of people, COVID-19 is continually forcing us to rethink our approach and innovate to allow us to deliver a safe -albeit different – regatta for everyone.”
With the pandemic continuing to impact many of Geelong’s major events still to this day, Gigs by Festival of Sails is another initiative that has been designed to directly assist local artists who are champing at the bit to get back on stage and performing, and hospitality staff who have been some of the hardest hit by COVID restrictions. From pop to punk and blues to rock, more than 50 artists will be performing across eight days at the likes of Edge Geelong, Sailors’ Rest, The Pier, Piano Bar, Lambys Tavern, Beav’s Bar and the Barwon Club Hotel and of course, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. You can read more about that here.
As for the fireworks, pet owners are asked to ensure that their animals are safe and secure during the fireworks display.
You can find out more about the fireworks here.
