Ballarat’s rocker community has launched the musical program for next month’s Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival, which in its fifth year will have more bands than ever before.

The lineup includes a performance by Ol’ 55, with vocalist Frankie J. Holden and sax player Wilbur Wilde reuniting to relive their 1970s heyday.

Headlining acts include Colorado psychobilly band Hillbilly Hellcats and British blues and roots artist Craig Shaw, who will be joined by Victorian and interstate artists including Cherry Divine, The Lincolns, Little Billy, The Strays and Ballarat rockabilly group No Limitz Trio.

Festival music director Stevie Kaze said this year’s musical lineup featured a wide variety of rockabilly and Americana styles, from country through to the harder-edge psychobilly style.

“We haven’t focused on psychobilly as a style before so we’re bringing something to the festival for those who like the harder, faster style,” he said.

Mr Kaze said in addition to ticketed gigs at the Ballarat Mining Exchange, the Hop Temple and the George, free performances would be held every hour on a pop-up stage in Lydiard Street.

In addition, a Battle of the Bands will be introduced to the festival for 2017, where the best rock n’ roll or rockabilly act will win $1000.

Returning to the festival this year are the poodle competition, Ballarat Beat Pinup Competition, a tiki bar, burlesque shows, dance lessons and dance demonstrations.

Last year, stunning vintage cars lined up along Lydiard Street, some worth more than $1 million. This year the cars will return but occupy a much bigger space and feature the state’s best hotrods brought in from Melbourne by a company called Kingpin Kuztumz.

Event manager Kesh Manton said judging by ticket sales, it would be the biggest festival yet and looked set to attract more than 10,000 people.

The festival will be held February 9 to 12 in Lydiard Street. To buy tickets or view the music program, visit www.ballaratbeat.com.au