All the fun of the fair comes to Kilsyth this Sunday, 23 November, when the Kilsyth Festival returns bigger and brighter than ever between 10am and 4pm at the beautiful Elizabeth Bridge Reserve in Durham Road, Kilsyth.
The event has become a highly anticipated part of Kilsyth community life. It is run by the Kilsyth Community Action Group and Friends of Elizabeth Bridge Reserve in conjunction with Japara, with the benefit of a generous community grant from Yarra Ranges Council.
Organising committee chair Mike O’Meara says that those who come along to join in the fun will notice a change in the Festival layout.
“For the first time there will be attractions across both sides of Durham Road. The road will be closed in both directions between 8am and 4pm from the eastern end of Japara to the western end of the Reserve, next door to Little Penguin Childcare.
“As well as providing greater safety for our patrons, the new look opens up more food and entertainment centres for people to enjoy. We’re especially excited to be hosting a youth precinct with special stalls and features like 3D printing and a youth art project to appeal to our young people,” Mike said.
There will be something to interest everyone. Up to 70 stalls will offer everything from crafts, workshops, clothing, fitness, and community service. Activities for the children will include cupcake decorating, face painting, sports games, and pet and wildlife displays. And there is a rumour circulating that a special white bearded Christmas guest will be dropping in at around 2pm.
In the meantime, there will be plenty of performance acts to keep everyone entertained. This will include a demonstration by Croydon Obedience Dog Club, a roving bubble artist, local buskers, and the Ruccis Circus group will be back with their spectacular aerial show.
The centre stage will feature a well-known favourite West African drummer, Kofi. He will be joined by L J the Magician, Street Dance Studio and talented local artists like Rhys Sund and Sole Butter.
If all of this makes you a bit hungry or thirsty, there will be plenty of food and refreshment stalls to make sure everyone is satisfied.
Parking includes the car park at 150 Cambridge Road (the former school site). Anyone who is driving in the area at the time is asked to be mindful of pedestrian traffic and particularly the road closure and detours in place.
For further details, please see the Festival website and Facebook page, and the Japara Facebook page.
