One of the popular performers on the third series of The Voice, the bubbly 23-year-old finished fifth behind eventual winner Anja Nissen.

Festival co-ordinator Lynn Locke said it was a real coup to secure Ms Jade for this year’s event.

“The entertainment planned for this year is superb,” Mrs Locke said.

“It will be great to have Kat closing our festival. She will be extremely popular, especially with the young people.”

The entertainment will begin about 1pm at the completion of the street parade on a special stage adjacent to the banks of the Shoalhaven River.

A number of local entertainers will perform, including well-known Milton singer Genevieve Chadwick. 

Children will be treated to a performance by popular group the Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band. There will also be appearances by Ronald McDonald and NSW Police mascot Constable Charlie.

The Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre is conducting a Shoalhaven Unearthed competition for local bands on September 12 and the winners will also be performing at the festival.

Saturday’s activities will finish with the monster fireworks display, this year to be staged on pontoons in the river, which Mrs Locke said would provide much better viewing on both sides of the river.

“Everything is starting to ramp up for this year’s event, and we continue to encourage more entries in the street parade,” she said.

On Friday night (October 24), the annual cocktail party will be held at the entertainment centre, which will also be featured as part of a new attraction, a special light display by McDermott Baxter, the same company that stages Vivid in Sydney.

During the cocktail party there will be entertainment, while the Landcare and Riverwatch photographic competition and Australian Oyster Coast display will be on show.

Tickets are $50 and available from the entertainment centre.

On Sunday the giant marine expo will be staged on the Shoalhaven River, which will include a monster charity duck derby. Organisers will release details about the derby in coming weeks.