Victor Harbor is ready to shake, rattle and roll more than ever with the 11th annual Rock ‘n Roll Festival at Warland Reserve from September 14-16.
There were a record 14,000 people at last year’s festival, and with big changes to the event and a huge increase in classic cars and hot rods that park nicely in this 50s era revival it promises to be even better.
There has already been an “Elvis sighting”, but we discovered it was Michael Smitham in disguise, pictured right with his wife, Fiona, and their stunning 1959 Dodge Coronet, alongside Lester Williamson, who is also looking cool by his beautiful 1966 Ford Mustang. Lester has been on the Rock ‘n Roll Festival committee since its beginning – well done.
Michael and Fiona bought their Dodge only six months ago, only after it became available with its 89-year-old American owner having had his licence taken away from him. The owner’s father-in-law bought the car for his daughter as a wedding gift in 1959.
It’s just one of the superb little anecdotes among the thousands of gracefully wearing out bodgies (remember them?) who will spruce their retro 50s gear and rock away, and owners of the 600-plus immaculately presented cars – many of them owned by members of the Historic Motor Vehicles Club Victor Harbor branch – that will line the surrounds.
Among the new features to this year’s festival presented by the City of Victor Harbor with great support from the Rotary clubs of Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay, Shannon’s Insurance, and Business Victor Harbor are evening events on Warland Reserve – hurry, tickets are selling fast.
For the first time VIP passes at $20 may be purchased providing entry into both evening events on Warland Reserve, plus the opportunity to redeem a range of discounts from local businesses.
The festival starts revvin’ on the Friday from 10am-1pm with a vehicle display and rock ’n roll jukebox at McDonald’s Victor Harbor and continues at other big venues and shows around the town.
Of course, it’s the parade of classic cars and dancing to some great bands on the Warland Reserve dance floor on Saturday and Sunday from 11am that will create a huge atmosphere. Let’s rock ‘n roll in your blue suede shoes to the beat by The Silverados, Memphis Suns, Lefty Roulette and the Joint Jumpin’ Hepcats and The Shakers on the rockabilly stage. “Whoa!” as the Fonz would say in that Happy Days show (1974-1984), when hearing those names with a classic link to the 50s.
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