Festival turns twenty

Thousands are set to hit the Barwon Heads foreshore this week as a popular community event celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The annual Festival of the Sea celebrates the coastal town’s link to the ocean through the environment, history, arts and culture.

Organisers say this year’s event is particularly special as it marks two decades of the festival’s operation.

“In 2000, a small group of locals came together to start a Festival of the Sea to celebrate the wonders that lay at our doorstep,” organisers said.

“Twenty years on, this festival has become a highlight for the Barwon Heads community.”

This year’s program has a focus on the local community, education, sustainability and engagement.

The activities, which kicked off yesterday and run until Saturday, include a sustainability expo, rockpool rambles, arts trail, scientific talks and a new outdoor film viewings.

A local music line-up includes performers Fenn Wilson, Lumii, Sarah Dawe, Andrea Robertson, The Yew Flat and the Barwon Heads Chorale.

Food vans, local produce, river yoga, raft building, art and crafts, marine trivia also feature in the 2020 program.

This year’s festival received $6000 from Geelong council’s 2019-20 community grants program.

Details: festivalofthesea.com.au.

Natalee Kerr