PREPARATIONS for the Yarraville Festival are at full steam ahead of its arrival in the vibrant village this month.
The theme of the February 16 festival — local railway heritage and the Yarraville goods yards — will be highlighted with a special screening of the Buster Keaton silent comedy classic The General. Backed by a quartet of live musicians, the screening will be held in the Pop-Up Park from 8pm.
The 1926 classic is loosely based on the true story of a race between steam trains during the US Civil War.
Acclaimed actor-director Orson Welles described it as “the greatest comedy ever made, the greatest Civil War film ever made, and perhaps the greatest film ever made”.
Families are being encouraged to take picnic chairs and refreshments to the screening, which will be preceded by a short film on the history of Yarraville prepared by the Sun Theatre’s Michael Smith.
Festival sponsor Yarraville Club is organising a treasure hunt involving village shops, with a girl’s and boy’s bike up for grabs as prizes.
A map for the treasure hunt is available at local schools and from most retailers in the Yarraville village.
Club community liaison manager Violet Browne said the sponsorship was part of a strong local focus for the year ahead, including purchase of a community bus for members. —
