Organisers of this weekend’s Portarlington Mussel Festival are hoping for a bumper crowd as the event returns after a pandemic-fuelled two-year hiatus.
More than 200 stalls and a host of live entertainment will greet festival goers on Saturday January 14
Festival president Richard Underwood said he “doesn’t like estimating crowds” but that organisers were hoping for similar crowds to previous years, which have totalled around 30,000.
Mr Underwood said around 300 volunteers had filled 400 spots.
“We like emphasising that it is all done by volunteers and if we are lucky to have any money excess, we give it back to the community,” he said.
“There will be lots of mussels. We’ve had tremendous support from Mr Mussel, who has donated tons and tons of mussels. We’ve given back around $230,000.”
The music line-up features headline act Bjorn Again and a host of other local performers.
There will be heaps of kids’ activities and entertainment, including Dorothy the Dinosaur.
Mr Underwood said while locals love the festival, out of towners made up the majority of the crowd.
“We haven’t done a survey for a while, but around 70 per cent come from Melbourne and we have increasing numbers from interstate,” he said.
The Portarlington Mussel Festival is on Saturday January 14 from 9.30am to 5pm at Portarlington Park in the centre of town. Entry is $5 for adults and kids are free.
A free shuttle bus will be available to ferry festival goers from anywhere in Portarlington and Indented Head. Phone 0476-447 841 up until 11am to book.
