ANYONE crossing the southbound Shoalhaven River bridge on Thursday could not have failed to notice the pontoons were being put back into the river.
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That can only mean one thing - the Shoalhaven River Festival is just around the corner.
In fact, the fifth Shoalhaven River Festival will be held later next month on October 28-29.
River fest chairperson Lynn Locke said it is exciting to see the pontoons back in the river.
“After this year’s festival they will become a permanent fixture in the river which will be fantastic,” she said.
“We can't thank Shoalhaven City Council enough for their support.”
A large crane from Nowra Cranes lifted the11 pontoons back into the river, which will again be used for the marina section of this year’s festival.
Three of the pontoons will also be used for what Mrs Locke described as “the biggest and best fireworks display yet” late on Saturday night.
“I think having the pontoons in the river permanently will be a great thing,” she said “not only will the festival utilise them, they will also be used a lot throughout the year for different events.
Having the pontoons in the river permanently will be a great thing. Not only will the festival utilise them, they will also be used a lot throughout the year for different events. It’s fantastic not just for the festival but for tourism generally and the Shoalhaven as a whole to have this in place.
- Shoalhaven River Festival chairperson Lynn Locke
“It’s fantastic not just for the festival but for tourism generally and the Shoalhaven as a whole to have this in place.”
Mrs Locke said this year's festival was shaping up to be huge.
“Things are going really well,” she said.
“We have a great committee who are really working hard to make this year’s event the best yet,” she said.
There will be a different format for the riverside entertainment, with the stage performance area being given a new location, with some great acts and a lot of local talent on show.
“Our market stalls will be there again of course, and there will be action aplenty on the river itself, which is what the festival is all about,” she said.
“The Macey’s Splashdown Show will be different this year, bigger and better but with still a big chance to get wet of course.
“This festival will again culminate in the spectacular fireworks, for which something special is planned.”
The event will again start with the annual parade through the Nowra CBD, which is always a stunning spectacle, with businesses, sporting groups, schools and organisations on show.
And it’s not too late to enter a float in the parade for this year’s event.
A new highlight is a running event prior to the parade start, while the Noah’s Challenge will again be part of the activities.
The Marina Expo will also play a big role with two days of activities.