COOLY ROCKS ON
11-day event to be bigger and better than ever before
IF you like rock ‘n’ roll, swing music and vintage cars, then Cooly Rocks On festival is the place to be today.
More than 100,000 people are expected to flock to Coolangatta and Tweed Heads from today until June 8 for Australia’s biggest 1950’s and 60’s nostalgia festival.
Organisers of the annual 11-day event have spent this year making sure it is bigger and better than before.
Car registrations received a record number of hits and some zones sold out in just 20 minutes.
Drawcards such as Si Cranstoun and Boom Shack will also keep the event’s reputation rocking all over the world.
Rod Liefman said he wouldn’t miss it for anything.
The 70-year-old Carrara resident will bring along his 1940 Ford Deluxe Tudor sedan which he has been preserving as is.
“This is a relatively rare car in Australia,” the secretary of the car committee said.
“I made it roadworthy and waterproof so that I can drive it.”
Mr Liefman’s pride and joy will be among 1300 hot rods, custom cars and classic cars lining the beachfront.
“I love talking about cars and meeting new people, so Cooly Rocks On is the perfect spot,” he said.
“I also do rock ’n’ roll dancing but my body is getting a bit old. “I’m just a nostalgia freak.” An increase in demand for places in the festival’s display of pre-70s cars and ideal weather conditions are expected to help drive visitor numbers for this year’s festival to a record high.
But it won’t just be car talk on the southern end of the Coast.
Retro and craft stalls, food, music, competitions and street parades will also line the street.
Charli Robinson will be part of the crowd with her friend Louise Davis.
“I just love the atmosphere,” she said.
“Women wear beautiful dresses and it’s always fun to have a look at the stalls and cars.”
The festival is free to enter but tickets to paid events sell out quickly.
Motorists are advised that travelling near the Coolangatta CBD area during the event may result in delays due to traffic diversions.