Buskers, fashion, film screenings and a pooch parade can mean only one thing – the return of the Yarraville Festival.
The festival is marking its 33rd year with a series of events leading up to the big day this Sunday.
Festivities began last night with a sponsors’ cocktail party at the Yarraville Club. A fashion parade featuring local retailers will be held at the Sun Theatre at 7pm today.
On Saturday, performers will roam the village during a buskers’ festival, which is part of the main festival.
From 8pm, the band The Sounds of Silent will celebrate 100 years of Charlie Chaplin films by playing a live soundtrack to free screenings of his first short film
Making a Living, followed by The Circus, on a temporary screen outside the Sun Theatre.
Sunday’s main event begins with a Teddy Bears Picnic in Fels Reserve off Simpson Street, along with a petting zoo and other kids’ activities. From 10am-6pm, entertainment will be spread across seven stages. The Sun Theatre will screen Flik Fest movies during the day, highlighting the films of budding young filmmakers.
Other attractions will include the Doggie Parade, a vintage fire engine and a Royal Flying Doctor flight simulator.
Sponsorship manager Violet Browne paid tribute to those behind the scenes. “Without our sponsors and a dedicated team of volunteers, we simply couldn’t run our festival.”
