Enjoy the delights in a city of lights

THIS is the weekend where Geelong proves to the rest of Australia that there is much more to our city than football.

One glance at the calendar of events this weekend reveals a bounty of diverse offerings for residents and visitors alike.

Not the least of these are today’s inaugural White Night Geelong event and the first-ever Geelong staging of the Australian Supercross Championships.

Organisers have high hopes for both events, estimating around 100,000 people to flock to the CBD for the White Night festivities and another 10,000 to crowd Kardinia Park to watch the supercross action.

Those crowds will be boosted by the 150 cars rolling into town tonight to raise awareness for MND as part of the Daniher’s Drive fundraiser. Even the weather is playing its part with a fine 23C forecast.

Indeed, it would be disappointing if the turnout was anything less, particularly given today’s two major drawcards came about as a direct result of community lobbying for new local major events.

The appeal to host a White Night event came to prominence in 2015 when it was first raised by Lara MP John Eren. After several successful stagings of the White Night concept — first in Melbourne then subsequently in Ballarat and Bendigo — tonight is our chance to showcase the beauty within our CBD.

Similarly, it is a chance to answer the many calls to use Kardinia Park and its showpiece stadium for more events outside of the AFL season, with some of Australia’s top Supercross riders plying their trade on an almost unrecognisable stadium turf.

We know this is a region rich in culture and diversity. Today is the day we prove it to the rest of the nation.

Whether it be White Night, the Supercross, Birregurra Festival, Daniher’s Drive, Schnauzerfest, Canola Flowering Festival or any of the other events scheduled across our region this weekend, make sure you get out and enjoy the amazing offerings on display.