Giant sea creature set for fiery end

A GIANT creature of the deep will emerge on Queenscliff beach before being consumed by flames and followed by fireworks over the bay as Nightide’s flagship event returns on 20 June.

Fire performers, live music, roaming entertainers and food trucks will then keep the foreshore buzzing throughout the four-hour celebration, which runs from 5pm to 9pm.

Searoad Ferries’ Peter Wallace said the annual bonfire had become one of the event’s defining moments.

“The shortest day of the year is celebrated in a lot of different ways, but probably one of the more common ones is the burning of an effigy or a sculpture,” he said.

“To be able to bring that to life at Nightide is pretty cool.

“It becomes a pinnacle of the event or a centrepiece that we can all gather around and enjoy.”

The 5m by 3m sculpture is inspired by the festival’s Creatures of the Deep theme, but visitors will have to wait until it is revealed to see its final form.

While the bonfire remains the focal point, the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal precinct will also be filled with entertainment throughout the evening.

Local acts The Kite Machine, Mojo Corner and Jungle Jim will provide the soundtrack, while fire twirlers, stilt walkers and aerial performers roam the site.

“We really love that we were able to get local artists to perform at this event,” Wallace said.

“The music sets the tone of the night, sets the vibe…and we know how important music is to this town.”

Food will also be a major part of the offering, with vendors including Wildfire Craft BBQ, Ink-Redible Calamari, Smashville Burgers, Fugazi Pizza, The Li’l Dumpling Van, Rockin Donuts and Rockin Twistie Potatoes.

The event will culminate with fireworks over Port Phillip Bay, launched from a Searoad Ferries vessel positioned off the beach.