Top Tuggeranong Festival by an eyewitness

The mild and intermittent showery conditions over the weekend did not deter Tuggeranong celebrating their 21st festival. Organisers declared the festival a total success with more than 15,000 patrons passing through Tuggeranong Park throughout the day. Most were keen to enjoy the free entertainment, exhibits, side show ally, competitions, face painting, the patting farm or find that unique and illusive Christmas gift for someone special or just use the occasion to catch up with family and friends.

The festive mood started off with a lively beat from the Fresh Funk Dance School hipping and hopping on the main stage followed by Sing Australia mixed choir singing well known Australian songs. The tempo increased with CircXtreme’s dazzling display of skills of fire-spinning, juggling and acrobatics to Legs Dance School putting on a beautifully choreographed routine of ballet, tap, jazz, street funk and acrobatics plus song and dance and much, much more.

The six piece funk, soul, rhythm an blues and rock group, Velvette, lifted the crowd with some great musical works while the Bellyup Belly Dances presented a modern fusion of folkloric belly dance with cabaret influences and the Salvation Army Band moved the mood into Christmas cheer.

By mid afternoon Elvis had already made a number of guest appearances to the enjoyment of his loyal admirers and sensational new act, Who’s Your Daddy belted out nonstop, high voltage rock an roll while Dumasult reciprocated with its blend of African drumming.

With the day slipping and the crowd swelling in anticipation of Ian Moss, one of Australia’s talented musicians, organisers had one more trick to play and presented the tiny tots a treat of Madagascar’s Escape to Africa. The shows main characters, Alex the Lion and Marty the Zebra were an instant hit and enjoyed the many cuddles by the eager tots.

As the sun sank behind the Brindabella’s, Ian Moss electrified the crowed for one and half hours of non-stop guitar playing and singing so much so that seven encores were needed to appease a very appreciative and demanding audience. As Ian hit the last cord the first shot of the fireworks spectacular sounded overhead and with that twenty minutes of colour flashed across the night sky.

Festival President, Michael Lindfield said, “our patrons had a wonderful time. They enjoyed themselves thoroughly and it was great to see mum, dad and the little ones soaking up the occasion. We will be back next year to do it all again. A very big thank you to our wonderful sponsors, all the volunteers who made the festival safe for everyone and to the public for making our 21st birthday special”.

Tagged as: Bellyup Belly Dances, CircXtreme, Elvis, Fresh Funk Dance School, Ian Moss, Salvation Army Band, Sing Australia, Velvette, Who’s Your Daddy