The Tally Ho Motel’s already booked out, other accommodation houses are filling up and those who attended the Peter Allen Festival’s business community launch at the Tenterfield School of Arts on June 12 are eagerly anticipating the boost in Tenterfield’s profile.
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Local songster Chris Markham was even on hand to set the scene with some Peter Allen classics, ones we will no doubt be hearing in our sleep come September 7-9 during the festival proper.
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Festival directors Josh Moylan and Matt Sing were on hand to flesh out the festival program and to encourage businesses and community groups to add their own functions and activities. So far, in addition to the headline Danny Elliott Tenterfield-to-Rio shows at the School of Arts and the Tenterfield Jam Session at Memorial Hall on the Saturday night, there’s a Mediterranean-style I go to Rio dinner on the Thursday night at the Tenterfield Showground Grandstand Dining Room, a Canapes ‘n’ Quilts function on the Friday along with the official opening in the CBD, and on Saturday Rouse Street becomes Peter Allen Boulevard from 10am to 3pm.
On Sunday, to wrap up the festival, there will be a Jackaroos Breakfast at Arrajay Downs, the Travellers Farewell Concert in Bruxner Park from 11am, and a special rendition of the School of Arts supper club at 2pm: The Peter Allen Story.
Also during the festival there’ll be workshops, laser light shows, a free outdoor cinema and more.
Mr Moylan was pleased with the turnout to Tuesday’s launch, welcoming participants to hear more about ‘the event to rock-and-roll Tenterfield, and put us on the world stage’. He said organisers are setting the foundations building to a flagship festival in 2020.
Official approval has finally come through for road closures and highway traffic diversion, with Rouse Street from Manners to Molesworth Streets, and High Street from Whereat Lane to Logan Street closed from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 8 to accommodate the festival (with customer access allowed to CRT and Foodworks). This will allows an hour’s setup and packup for stallholders at each end of the boulevard’s operating hours.
Mr Moylan said the change in traffic conditions will be well-signposted with clearly-designated parking areas.
Stalls will be situated on the road bitumen, allowing pedestrian access down footpaths and through a central accessway down the middle of the road. He said Peter Allen Boulevard will be the heart of the festival, allowing visitors to enjoy a party atmosphere with shop window decorations and music.
Supplementing the existing businesses will be the Farmers and Producers Market, Spring Flower Show, workshops and street performances.
He’s hoping business operators will come on board with items or services specially-created or with a name change to celebrate the festival.
“It’s great marketing for our town,” he said.
“The festival will only success with the help of the community.”
To that end, organisers are seeking a festival social media coordinator, and enthusiastic festival guides.
Also in the lead-up Mr Moylan said there’d be Jazzing up the Street working bees, ticket giveaway competitions, and more activities to build up the excitement levels.