City events keep rolling

IT HAS not felt like summer every day — with the weather swinging from sweltering to chilly — but Geelong’s summer of events has not let up.

Less than a month ago the sun shone on the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Not only was it a nailbiting finish but picturesque aerial images of Geelong, clipped lawns and rowers on the Barwon were beamed around the world.

Last Sunday the rain poured on the T20 International between Australia and Sri Lanka at Kardinia Park.

(Though it didn’t deter thousands - particularly Sri Lanka supporters - from turning out on a soggy Sunday night.)

And now, whatever the weather, the Avalon International Airshow is around the corner.

The biennial nature of this event means it never outstays its welcome and is always cause for excited anticipation as it approaches.

That is particularly so for those of us who enjoy things that move at unbelievably rapid speeds, make loud shattering noises, and like to marvel at humanity’s engineering ingenuity.

Little wonder the event is expected to attract up to 200,000 people who will descend on our airport for the trade show and air displays.

Plane nuts will be able to eyeball F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and watch a Hudson bomber, four World War II Harvards and a Lockheed Super Constellation take to the skies.

Tourism and Major Events Minister and Lara MP John Eren is right that the airshow “means serious business” for our city. But the chance to watch those magnificent men in their flying machines also means a hell of a lot of fun.

And that’s what an event-studded calendar is all about.