Gloucester’s Chill Out Festival is back and is set to be bigger and better than ever.
The annual event, run by the Gloucester Business Chamber, is one of the biggest drawcards to the area and the committee is working hard to make it a must attend event in everyone’s calendar.
What started out as a modified version of the original ‘Snowfest’ (2000-2003), which saw snow trucked in from Perisher, Chill Out has run since 2004 and has been slowly expanding.
Over the years, the committee has learned that food and music seems to attract a lot of attendees, so plans are underway to expand this section of the festival, providing more food options and more music venues around the festival. There will also be more stalls and rides for the children.
Taking place on Saturday, July 28 from 9am until 3pm, the festival will be spread along Church Street from the roundabout to King Street, up and down Denison Street and into Billabong carpark, Billabong Lane and Billabong Park.
But the festival wouldn’t be the same without the return of the most popular events and this year’s program won’t disappoint.
The Tin Hare heritage rail motor will be back on track for pre-booked rides from Gloucester to Bundook and return, book at the Gloucester Visitor Information Centre.
Lindy Trudgeon’s dog show will be open to all dog lovers offering a range of categories, while brave souls can take on the mechanical bucking bull before checking out the fierce woodchop competition or taking on the Science and Engineering Challenge at its new home out front of Lovey’s IGA.
Motor enthusiasts from near and far will again buff up their beauties for the ‘Show and Shine’, set up in Billabong Lane. And off the back of last year’s success, the beard growing competition will return.
There will also be a return of the major raffle with prizes including a $500 open voucher to be used in any business in the 2422 postcode, courtesy of the Gloucester Business Chamber, as well as two one night accommodation packages donated by Accommodation Gloucester and a trailer load of firewood provided by Redman’s Earthmoving.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
