GET ready to rock, Ballarat.
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Preparations are in full swing for the second annual Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival next month.
For four days Ballarat will celebrate all things rockabilly: the music, the fashion, the vibe, the cars and, of course, the dancing.
Such will be the size of the festival, Lydiard Street will be blocked off between Sturt and Mair streets on February 15 and 16.
Event organiser Arthur Matsakos said the festival promised to be even bigger than its inaugural success last year, with up to 5000 people expected to attend.
“It’s such a friendly festival, for young and old,” he said.
“It reaches out to so many people. Everyone’s got their story of their first kiss in the back of a ’57 Chevvy or great memories of the era.”
Attractions over the weekend will include international and Australian rockabilly music acts, an art exhibition, fashion parades, burlesque shows, stalls, hot rod shows, dance lessons, glamour hairstyling and much more.
To put it simply, Ballarat’s CBD will be transformed into a 1950s wonderland.
Ballarat Regional Tourism chief executive officer George Sossi said the festival had been an outstanding success last year, attracting visitors from across Australia.
“The event really transforms Ballarat back to the 1950s, it’s a great spectacle to see so many festival patrons decked out in their vibrant clothes and hot rods,” he said.
The festival will be held from February 13 to 16.
For more information or to book tickets visit www.ballaratbeat.com.au