By JESSE GRAHAM
THERE’LL be excitement, noise, history and fun as the celebrations for Healesville’s 150th birthday ramp up, and everyone is invited to the party.
The heritage of the town will be front-and-centre when the Healesville Heritage Festival begins on Friday 7 November with a ball at Healesville’s RACV Country Club.
The festivities will kick off early the next morning, as the Healesville 150 Street Parade makes its way down Nicholson Street (Maroondah Highway) and the festival opens at the Healesville Railway Station.
The festival, which will run through the Saturday and Sunday, will showcase working steam engines, historical displays and films, world champion woodcutters competing, and, of course, music.
“We’ve got exhibits coming from not only around the state, but from other places in Australia,” Yarra Valley Railway vice-president, Brett Whelan, said.
“There’ll be excitement, noise and activity, and there’ll be something there for the whole family.”
People will be dressed in period costumes and train rides, whip cracking and vintage truck displays will also be held at the station.
The woodchopping event will feature Healesville’s own Brett Robin, who will be taking on competitors from around the country, including the world champion from Tasmania.
Visitors wishing to take part in the celebrations will be able to attend the Healesville Music Festival, which will run through the next weekend, from Friday 14 to Saturday 16 November.
We Two Thieves, Chris Henry and Hardcore Grass, The Little Stevies, Three Kings, The Dukes of Despair and a number of other musicians will converge on the town for the two-day event.
The Terminus Hotel, Mocha and Lime cafe, the Memo and Healesville RSL will all be hosting musicians for the weekend.
Tickets for the Healesville Music Festival are $45 for a full-price Festival Ticket, $40 for concession-holders, $40 for Saturday-only tickets, $35 for concession-holders, or $27.50 for a Friday night ticket, $25 for concession-holders.
Children under 13 receive free entry when accompanied by an adult.
Healesville Heritage Festival entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children aged three to 16, with free entry for children under three.
For more information, visit www.Healesvillemusicfestival.com.au.
For a calendar of events around the Healesville 150th celebrations, visit www.healesville150.org, and for information about the Healesville Heritage Festival, visit www.healesville-heritage-festival.com.
