Get ready to party at Teesdale Celebrates

THE rhythms of salsa, ska and indi-rock will descend on the middle of Golden Plains during the Teesdale Celebrates festival.

This year’s event celebrates the Teesdale CFA’s 70th birthday and Live@Turtle Bend’s 10th birthday and the whole community is pulling together to make it an extravaganza.

The festival will feature the eight-person Melbourne ska band Loonee Tunes, who will bring funky rhythms and a taste of Jamaica to the town.

There’s also market stalls, food and children’s entertainment from 2pm, followed by a magical twilight lantern parade and music festival from 5pm.

April and Captain Koala will provide a fire-safety show and there will be karate displays and other entertainment.

In the prelude to the headline act, salsa dance instructor, David Smile, will set the mood with a one-hour salsa dance class available to everyone. The Geelong region’s salsa legends Los Locos and young four-piece indi rock band Channel Marker will continue the beat.

“This is Teesdale’s night of nights,” said one of the organisers Claire Whiteley. “We are really proud of our event. The children at Teesdale Primary School have made some amazing lanterns over the past few years and it’s wonderful to see them at twilight as they wend their way to the pavilion.

Teesdale Celebrates is organised by the community for the community. It is unique in the Golden Plains Shire and is supported by the municipality, Music Workshop, Teesdale Turtle Bend Events Committee, Teesdale CFA, Teesdale Community Events, and many local business and community groups.

The event is for all ages, with free entry. It runs from 2pm to 10pm, Saturday, 12 October, at Turtle Bend Pavilion, Main Road, Teesdale. For more information visit turtlebendevents.com.