The whales are here, the HMB Endeavour’s on her way and the stage is set – looks like we’ve got ourselves a festival!
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For the first time since being named Australia’s number one whale watching destination, Eden is gearing up to become Whale Festival central, with a bumper line-up on the program for this weekend.
The arrival of the world’s finest replica ship will kick it all off on Friday morning, when the 44-metre square rigged marvel enters Twofold Bay at 10am.
You’ll have your chance to step aboard over the weekend, but that’s just one of the many things to see and do in between keeping your eyes peeled for some of the 15,000 whales migrating south.
Whether you’re on the water or at one of the many lookouts, you’re odds-on to see whales at this time of year.
Local ambassador Jan Aveyard will officially open the festival at the Eden Killer Whale Museum on Friday, amidst a chorus of song from the Eden Singers and our local schools between 1pm and 3pm.
The poet’s breakfast will fuel you up for the big one on Saturday, which begins with an old festival favourite – the street parade.
Cheer on the procession of floats, hot rods, trucks and entertainers as they make their way down to whale festival central at Snug Cove.
There you’ll find activities on all sides, from singing, dancing and circus acts, to scientific demonstrations, oyster shucking and the Capstan Pull.
Drop in to one of the many information stalls and displays, with an array of local organisations including the RFS, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Eden Gym and Squash among them.
Visit one of Eden’s premier whale watching spots on Saturday afternoon, and find out about the marvellous work our Marine Rescue volunteers perform, at the Marine Rescue headquarters off Bramble Street.
Round out the day by hearing from the Sea Shepherd at the Marine Discovery Centre, before Coloured Stone and Doggn It Blues headline a blockbuster concert from 6.30pm, ending with a spectacular fireworks display at 9.30pm.
Sunday’s your chance to discover Eden, starting with guided kayak tours of Twofold Bay.
Jump aboard the Discover Eden shuttle bus at the Visitor Information Centre, or go exploring for yourself.
Pay your respects at the Seamen’s Memorial service, visit our mate Old Tom at the Killer Whale Museum, and learn the joys of spoon carving at a special workshop.
For those who want to go at their own pace, there are many weekend-long activities to keep you occupied.
Learn more about our beautiful surroundings at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre, take a tour of the historic cemetery and admire the best creative works from talented locals.
They’ve turned trash into treasure for TRASHformation, captured our past and present for the photographic exhibition, and carved a place into Eden’s history with Artists Who Wood.
Artists Kimberley Dodd and Anna Warren will unveil their specially created paintings and Art on Imlay is open for business, while the Imlay Craft Group celebrates 40 years and the quilters and spinners strut their stuff.
Then of course, you can’t forget all the local businesses ready for a huge weekend of trading.
It’s all happening!
And don’t forget to share your experiences with the world by using the #EdenWhaleFestival hashtag.
Here’s to the 2014 Eden Whale Festival – the best one yet!