Tipi to welcome festival goers

VISITORS to this month’s Festival of Sails will be welcomed through a ‘Tipi on the Bay’ entrance at Fairnie Park on Geelong Waterfront.

The colourful entrance aims to create an even bigger “party atmosphere” at the 181st running of the largest keelboat racing regatta in the Southern Hemisphere.

The ‘Tipi on the Bay’ will flow straight into a new hospitality hotspot featuring an undercover outdoor bar and plenty of outdoor seating in front of one of the two key entertainment stages.

Festival of Sails chairman, Paul Bucholz said the inclusion of a brighter entrance and a dedicated hospitality precinct would no doubt help the waterfront come alive.

“We wanted to establish the atmosphere right up front where you can’t miss it and then invite people to wander through and join us at the RGYC clubhouse, where our main entertainment and presentation areas will be,” he said.

“This new area gives people more options about where they might choose to spend some time to sit back, relax and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere.”

Entertainment highlights at this year’s event include Australian rock band Body Type, ARIA winners Southern Sons, the Australian INXS Show, the Mik Maks and the Royal Australian Navy Band.

A fly over from the RAAF 100 Squadron, fireworks, beach volleyball, market stalls and a discovery sailing experience are also slated to feature throughout the festival.

Mr Bucholz encouraged people to lock in their free ticket now before they’re all gone.

“We know people love coming down to the festival for the great entertainment and all we have to offer,” he said.

“Naturally we also need to manage the number of visitors appropriately, so we ask people to go on-line and book their tickets now to make sure they don’t miss out on being able to get in,” he said.

“The entertainment and sailing will certainly combine to add to our great party atmosphere, at one of the premium sailing events in the world,” he said.

“Why wouldn’t you want to be there!”

Festival of Sails is on Friday, January 26 to Sunday, January 28.

For tickets, head to www.festivalofsails.com.au