Hordes flock to mega events season
GEELONG’S reputation as a culture capital will rise over the next month, with a wide range of events combining to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
Little Malop St is the epicentre of activity this weekend, with the Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival and Archibald Prize exhibition showing at the city’s main library and gallery.
More than 5000 visitors are set to take part in the literary festival, which began with a sold-out event last night with highly acclaimed author Peter Carey.
An average of 1200 people daily have been viewing the Archibald exhibition, with most of those coming from Melbourne and other regional Victorian centres.
Major music and motoring festivals and an international sporting clash will soon follow, before Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak headlines technology conference Pivot Summit in December.
“The Geelong region is really showing the rest of Victoria that this is the place to be for creative and cultural experiences,” Word for Word festival advisory committee chair, Margot Smith, said.
“To have the Archibald exhibition and Word for Word side-byside this weekend really is a coup.”
With top-end talent and greater depth, the fourth edition of the annual literary festival features John Marsden, Alice Pung, Frank Moorhouse, John Safran, Jelena Dokic, Peter Fitzsimons, Tracey Spicer, Tim Flannery, Jamila Rizvi, Chris Masters, Julian Burnside, Susan Carland and many more.
The roll call of acts performing at next weekend’s Queenscliff Music Festival is also impressive.
The QMF has sold out for the second year in a row, although tickets are available through an official resale swap.
As part of Ausmusic Month, a free live gig on Friday featuring locals Bob Evans, Mia Dyson and more will be broadcast nationally on ABC Digital.
The 101st edition of the prestigious Targo Florio will race outside of Italy for the first time when the four-day rally begins on the Geelong Waterfront on November 30.
The Targo Florio Australian Tribute will snake around the Bellarine Peninsula and across to Torquay, before heading down the Great Ocean Road the following day.
Corporate tables have sold out for the Pivot Summit, with the premium A Reserve tickets selling fast.
THE MAIN EVENTS
Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival Saturday and Sunday Archibald Prize Exhibition Until Dec 10 Queenscliff Music Festival Nov 24-26 Geelong Revival Motoring Festival Nov 24-26 Matildas Vs. China women’s football Nov 26 Targa Florio Australian Tribute Nov 30-Dec 1 Pivot Summit Dec 8