THE Noosa Long Weekend festival kicks off this weekend and to celebrate 15 fabulous years, the festival will open with the biggest and best street party ever.
Festival director Ian Mackellar said the street party was a way to say thanks to the community for their support.
“For 15 years, the Noosa community has supported us, so this is our way of saying thank you,” he said.
“Bring the kids and join in the fun as we turn Hastings Street into ‘Rio’ for two fun-filled hours.”
Join the crowds on Hastings Street from 5.15pm on Friday 15 July as musicians, dancers, drummers, floats, fire eaters, feathers and glitz culminate in a precision landing of five skydivers on Noosa Main Beach.
Mr Mackellar, along with Hot 91 Breakfast announcer Sam Coward and 2016 festival ambassador Damien Anthony Rossi, of the Seven Network’s The Great South East, will declare this year’s festival well and truly open.
In what promises to be the best festival ever, over 250 artists will descend on Noosa, providing 88 performances over 10 magical days and nights of music, theatre, food and fun.
Commenting on this year’s gala opening, festival president Johanne Wright said: “The NLWF is a major community event. It is our gift to Noosa and we hope the local business community will continue to support us in bringing world class artists to this iconic part of Australia”.
Headlining acts include internationally celebrated queen of cabaret Meow Meow who will have audiences eating out of the palm of her hand when she performs at The J Theatre, Noosa Junction, on Friday 15 July, after the street party.
The Queensland Ballet will also return to the festival by popular demand and will wow audiences on Saturday 16 July and Sunday 17 July at The J Theatre.
Also taking place over the long weekend in the annual Dame Joan Sutherland Award Competition which will take place at the Good Shepherd Lutheran College on Friday 22 July.
Be enthralled by spine-tingling performances from Australia’s best emerging opera divas and a tenor as seven hopefuls battle for the top prize of $15,000.
For a full list of events or to purchase tickets head to www.noosalongweekend.com