READ MORE: Shoalhaven River Festival a one-day event this year

The 2018 festival, titled ‘Light up the River’, will be a one-day event held on Saturday, October 27.

There will be live entertainment, headed up by blues act Claude Hay, market stalls, kid’s amusements, a marina expo, the artzone, water-ski racing, jetski racing, Berkley Supertank demonstration, twilight boat parade, dragon boat racing and firework display in the evening.

“A highlight this year is going to be the first round of the NSW Personal Water Craft (PWC) state championship,” committee member Johny Vynes said.

“It will be high-speed jet ski racing, with all the thrills, spills and action – we’ve never had that before in the Shoalhaven – it is fast paced, but super close to the crowd as well. 

“I think a lot of people are going to love that, it’s like motocross but on water.

“A huge favourite from last year is the NSW Water-ski high speed racing, so there will be boats doing 150 miles per hour and people hanging on for grim death out the back of the boat skiing.”

This year, the street parade has been replaced with a twilight boat parade.

“I guess you could say the giant floating lanterns, which are part of the twilight boat parade, will be like a street parade on the river,” Mr Vynes said.

“I’m not sure if they have a big turtle, a whale or a seahorse, we will just have to see what they come up with. It is set to be a great attraction this year just before the fireworks.”

The festival is touted as a celebration of life in the Shoalhaven.

“The Shoalhaven River would have to be the best kept secret, it’s all about lifestyle and people love being around the foreshore of the river,” Mr Vynes said.

“It’s about bringing people together and enjoying the outdoors, and the Shoalhaven for what it is, it is set to be a really great festival jam-packed for one day.” 

Visit shoalhavenriverfestival.com.au for the detailed program.