Kensington Australia Day Festival 2015
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Mon 26 Jan 2015
Four kilometres north-west of Melbourne's central business district in a lovely tree lined suburb with strong community spirit, a street party will take place celebrating old time Australian fun.
Celebrate all things Australian on this fun filled day, beginning with a citizenship ceremony followed by a pooch parade and a billy-cart race, with live music acts bringing sound to the streets, unique market stalls and more. Lose yourself in the cheerful crowd of excited locals and visitors to this delightful neighbourhood.
In previous years, the annual Kensington Australia Day Festival has received enormous community support being attended by around 3000 people. This year will be bigger and better, with the following highlights for everyone:
Citizenship Ceremony
The acknowledgment of the Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of the land, followed by a Citizenship Ceremony at midday will start the festivities. After these ceremonies punters will celebrate Australia and community in Macaulay Rd and surrounds, highlighting Kensington and the City of Melbourne's commitment to a harmonious, culturally expanding, and inclusive community.
Annual Dog show
At 12.30 pm, the busiest and finest café in the area, The Premises, are running the Pooch Parade. There will be five categories – best dressed, best talker, best trickster, best owner look-a-like and best in show. Prizes for the winner and runners up will be presented on the day, so those with intelligent, obedient, good looking and talking dogs better get practicing to be number one. The Premises are taking registrations for $25 per pooch for all categories and all money will be donated to The North Melbourne Lost Dog's Home. Email Tash from The Premises at
[email protected] for more information on entering your precious pooch.
Annual billycart championship race
The term "billycart" originates from the Australian billygoat-pulled cart of the 1880s. Originally, a platform with four wheels and a moveable front steering column, the billycart has become a self-powered vehicle used for racing fun. And what could be more fun than racing mates in homemade billycarts to celebrate the all things Australian?
The challenge of being able to travel as fast and/or far as possible with the least initial momentum was a scenario applauded at last year's Kensington Australia Day Festival and this year residents will be back to do it all again.
Rick Richards, owner of Kensington's local the Hardiman's Hotel, and Kensington Festival Association member, passion for riding billycarts remains as an adult and encourages people of all ages to bring billycarts to the festivities. The races will run from 1pm to 5pm. To register for the billy cart race contact
[email protected]
Hardiman's Hotel
The Hardiman's Hotel , where the locals go, is an official Triple J Hottest 100 venue and encourages punters to tune in to the countdown in their beer garden with a drink. The Hardiman's beer garden faces the street and is located amongst all of the fun at 521 Macaulay Road.
Lamington eating competition
Calling all sweet tooths – it's time to settle your cravings once and for all in the Kensington Lamington Eating Competition! To celebrate this Australian delight, Kensington is thrilled to welcome all brave and strong stomached competitors to join the feast.
The rules: Adults have to eat six lamingtons and children have to eat 4. The first competitor to finish their lamingtons will be crowned the 2015 Winner of the Kensington Lamington Eating Competition. The consumption of drinks is not allowed, and the lamingtons are plain with no jam.
Street Food
With plenty of opportunities to sample a delicious variety of cuisines from around the world, visit the many food stalls serving up popular street food on the day.
Music
The entertainment continues with two music stages on Macaulay Road with local artists and a DJ providing free entertainment. This is your chance to dance in the street.
Market stalls
Get to know the local businesses and community organisations as many set up marquees and trade stalls offering their unique products.
Road closures for the festival
The festival will take place along Macaulay Rd and Bellair St. Macaulay Rd will be closed from the intersection of Epsom, Kensington and Macaulay roads to Kensington station. Bellair St will also be closed from Macaulay Rd to Wight St at the end of the shopping district.
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#january
!date 26/01/2015 -- 26/01/2015
%wnmelbourne
153889 - 2023-06-14 08:31:16