Sail into the weekend

Festival of Sails chairman Paul Buchholz and Evie McDonald are preparing for the weekend's event. (Ivan Kemp) 384435_07

The Festival of Sails is coming to Geelong for a jam-packed weekend of great entertainment, hospitality and sailing.

The event will be held at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) and along the Geelong waterfront from January 26 to 28.

Chairman Paul Buchholz said the RGYC wanted to establish the event’s family-friendly and party atmosphere.

“We know people love coming down to the festival for the great entertainment and all we have to offer,” he said.

“We also invite people to wander through and join us at the RGYC clubhouse, where our main entertainment and presentation areas will be.”

Entertainment will include live performances by the rock band Body Type, Aria winners Southern Sons, the Australian INXS Show, the Mik Maks, and the Royal Australian Navy Band.

“We’ve also got our Discover Sailing experience on Eastern Beach on Saturday and beach volleyball firing up on the Friday and Saturday,” Dr Buchholz said.

“All combining to add to our great party atmosphere, at one of the premium sailing events in the world.”

Dr Buchholz said many volunteers supported the event and were grateful for everyone’s help, no matter how small.

“They are people from all walks of life, not only yacht club members, but also from outside with people coming in to give us a hand,” he said.

“We appreciate the amount of volunteers we got in the place, which is amazing, and they help make the place go. They’re the bread and butter that make the whole thing happen.”

The Festival of Sails is a free ticketed event, and everyone looking to attend must get a ticket at festivalofsails.com.au and show the confirmation QR code on their phone to enter.