Barwon Heads community set to celebrate life by the sea

THE 2019 Festival of the Sea in Barwon Heads – which is running this week – has an exciting new format that renews its focus on the sea and the community.

For 19 years, the aptly named “Festival of the Sea” has been held each March and uses art, music, food, education and fun to highlight the marine environment and bring the community together.

The biggest difference festival-goers will notice this year is that the usual Sunday events, including the plastic ducks race on the river, will not take place.

President Jon Duthie, who has been part of the festival since its beginnings, said he was glad to see it become more about sustainability and the environment.

“This year’s festival has a renewed focus on the sea and our community,” Mr Duthie said.

“There’s something for everyone, including free yoga, a raft building competition and food vans on the Saturday.

“We invite the whole community to come together on Saturday evening at the foreshore to celebrate life by the sea.”

As a person who lives, works and breathes the sea, festival secretary Mark Rodrigue is proud to see it become more about marine education.

Mr Rodrigue has been part of the festival for many years and said he is excited about the screening of hand-picked short films on Friday evening on an outdoor screen.

Festival vice-president John Tunn has been on the organising committee for two years. John enjoys the educational aspects of the festival, and the information sharing that takes place at events such as the Land, Sea and Sky night.

He is also looking forward to setting some curly questions at the inaugural Marine Quiz this Thursday evening (tonight).

The Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea runs activities daily until Saturday March 16.

To see the full program of activities and events, visit festivalofthesea.com.au or follow them on Facebook by searching @festivaloftheseabh.