Dancing takes over from “Tequila Boxing Day

Barwon Heads Hotel has been home to an event known to locals as “Tequila Boxing Day” for decades, but this tradition will make way for the next with the arrival of Dancing Heads.

Managing Director of UNO Events Adam Metwally said they’ve teamed up with some of the best in the events industry to bring an unforgettable afternoon/evening to the hotel.

“I’ve been working with the guys from Taylor Group for about a year, we did some events in Torquay (Coastal Jam) and they liked what we were doing,” he said. “Boxing Day at Barwon Heads used to be massive and it’s died off the last couple of years, so we wanted to bring it back and do something good for people in the area.

“When we got the call to go ahead and plan it, the conversation was around using the carpark and doing something bigger again.”

Adam said the event is perfect for anyone with “good vibes” that wants to have a dance, listen to some music and drink some higher-end drinks.

“We’ve got food trucks, cocktails and wines and some local beers and craft beers. Instead of just doing basic drinks. The core demographic would be between 20-35 years, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s plenty of younger and older people coming along,” he said.

“The event will kick off at 2pm and run until 10pm, we’ve done a lot of work to ensure that the event runs smoothly. The feedback we got from some residents was there was some concerns (as there always is with new things).

“We’re working with an event company called Parachute International who’ve worked on multiple festivals around Australia. One of the guys has managed stages at Glastonbury so they’ve got experience of a high nature.”

Adam said having also run Pleasure Garden that’s right on the water in St Kilda and surrounded by residents, they’re aware of minimising any potential environmental impacts.

“We’ve got shuttle buses running to move people on, ample security. We’ve got a well-thought-out sound system, and systems in place to get patrons in and out of the venue safely,” he said.

Adam said the response from the community was massive with people “stoked” and excited to have an event of this calibre in Barwon Heads.

“Geelong and the Surf Coast gets missed out on and there’s not really much to do outside of family stuff and people are crying out to do more.

“I’m 26 and have grown up here and that’s been the big thing for me, wanting to spark that change. We’ve got Client Liaison an Australian band, Fleetmac Wood, Groove City and one of the guys form Cut Copy doing a DJ set.

“When I do events, I want it to be all encompassing, a nice view and a good area is also very important. Barwon Heads is a good site to run an event of this scale.”

For more information and to purchase tickets go to eventbrite.com.au.