SouthFest in 2019 before the pandemic. SouthFest 2024 organisers are hoping for a big crowd like this on Saturday to celebrate the Tuggeranong community. Photo: SouthFest.
The Tuggeranong town centre is the place to be this Saturday (16 November), with community festival Southfest returning to a one-day extravaganza.
Pre-COVID, Southfest drew up to 15,000 people on the one day. Organisers are hoping that concentrating the party on one day instead of throughout November as in 2023 will attract a similar turnout and return it to its glory days.
Staged by the Tuggeranong Comunity Council with a host of community and business sponsors, Southfest kicks off from 10 am and the festivities will continue till 4 pm.
Anketell and Cowlishaw streets will be closed off and combine with a nearby carpark to morph into a bustling hub of markets, food vendors, activities, and entertainment.
Council president Glenys Patulny said that after COVID, Southfest had a year off and then re-emerged as a multi-activity event across the suburbs, which continued last year along with a three-day event in the Tuggeranong Laneways.
“So this year we decided to go back to the full one-day event,” she said.
“We’re having simultaneous activities at the arts centre, the library, Communities at Work and the 55 Plus Club.”
People will be able to learn all about their local community groups, such as Rotary, RSPCA, Family History and Genealogy, Impact Church, Living Streets, Valley FM, Rural Fire Brigade, Lake Tuggeranong Lions Club and Probus Club.
Three stages will also be operating across the day for live performances and there will be more than 100 stalls.
Three stages will host performances of dance and song across the day. Photo: Facebook.
The goal is to create a festival that brings the town centre’s streets and laneways to life, showcasing the district’s community spirit, creativity, and commitment to sustainability.
The arts centre will host displays and performances, including Battle of the Band video clips, puppet making, sketching by the lake, First Nations weaving, art, dance, and drama classes.
The library will hold workshops and Communities at Work will have a craft stall, pantry stall, and Christmas craft activities.
The town centre’s main shopping centre, South.Point will share some early Christmas spirit with its own festive Christmas Parade.
There will be family-friendly games and activities for the kids and families – including a jumping castle, face painting, music and messy plays – health and wellbeing exhibits and sustainability stalls and workshops, including electric vehicles to check out.
The outdoor Lakeside Stage will come to life with performances by local artists and community groups including Belle Whyte, Gugan Gulwan music students, Fresh Funk, Belly Up, Tuggeranong Valley Band, and Sing with Toby.
There will even be a Tina Turner inspired flash mob at the Main Stage at 3:50 pm.
At this stage, the weather for Saturday will be summery with a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, with only a slight chance of a shower.
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