THE wait is over. Nowra and the Shoalhaven River are bright and shiny and ready to party.
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The Shoalhaven River Festival starts with tonight’s cocktail party and runs through the weekend until 4pm Sunday.
A temporary marina has been built on the Shoalhaven River where up to 30 boats will moor for the River Festival’s Marine Expo.
Following the highly successful marina last year the floating display has been extended for the 2014 festival.
The marina, located at the Nowra Sailing Club, will have vintage and modern boat displays as well as the latest fishing and boating equipment.
Marina designer and project manager Terry Chittleborough said last year was an experiment to see how popular the marina would be.
“It was a huge success last year so we have made it bigger this year,” he said.
Last year the marine was made from five pontoons, this year 15 pontoons have been trucked in with an extra three for a fireworks launch pad.
As part of the Shoalhaven River Festival South Coast Seaplanes will be operating from Wharf Rd restaurant’s wharf.
On Saturday the Wharf Rd restaurant is flying in the Village Vets for a meet and greet.
After that people are welcome to buy a joy flight, right off the river.
Chef David Campbell said it had been a dream of his wife Nicole and his to have a seaplane take customers on flights, or fly customers in.
“It’s a plane out of Moruya so it’s all local,” he said.
“This plane can take three passengers and by Christmas we hope to have a larger one operating,” he said.
South Coast Seaplanes pilot Tim Gilbo landed on Shoalhaven River for Father’s Day.
He said it was a good river to operate on.
“It’s big and pretty protected,” he said.
“I’ve checked the weather for the weekend and – fingers crossed – it’s going to be good.”
Mr Gilbo said people could book a 15-minute flight for $99 or just turn up on the day.