Road closed for Ettalong Festival

The Ettalong Beach Festival will be held on Sunday, March 20, from 10am to 4pm, with Ocean View Rd closed between Picnic Pde and Memorial Ave.

The road will be filled with market stalls from shop owners, local artisans and community groups, as well as with entertainment.

The festival will kick off at the main stage on Pacific Pde at 10am with a traditional aboriginal welcome to country ceremony and an address by Gosford mayor Cr Laurie Maher.

Following Cr Maher's welcoming address, multicultural performers will take to the stage.

The festival has been designed to cater for more than 4000 people, according to entertainment programmer Ms Ylenna Zajec

She said performers would include the Ganang Spirit Dancers, Indian and belly dancers, the Central Coast's bush tucker man Jake Cassar, Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park and local songstress Sarah Humphries.

World music act King Tide will headline the community festival with original reggae tunes on the main stage from 2pm.

"They've played at all the major festivals around Australia including Womad, Woodford and Sydney Festival," said Ms Zajec.

Children's amusement rides will also be held in the car park opposite the beach including giant slides, jumping castles and rides.

Younger children can attend a story telling activity complete with puppets, face painting and sing-a-longs.

Activities will also be held along the beach including a learn to paddle board and surf class, run by the WowGirls.

Media Release, 18 Feb 2011 Ylenna Zajec, Ettalong Beach Festival