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The count down to the Eden Whale Festival has begun in earnest this week, with the festival scheduled to start this Friday night, October 30.
Eden Whale Festival marketing and publicity officer Sarah Chenhall said this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever before, with a full program including documentaries, digital projections, magic shows, wine and food tasting, guided snorkel and kayaking tours, music and exhibitions.
“The festival is our chance to celebrate what we have, to revisit our history and our wildly beautiful coastline and share it with friends and family,” Ms Chenhall said.
Greg McKee, co-creator of the “Killers in Eden” documentary will officially launch the festival at 1.30pm on Friday, with a screenings of the film and supper daily at 5pm at the Uniting Church at 5pm.
Wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres at the Eden Cellars is a late afternoon highlight, followed by a exclusive adults-only cabaret at the Eden Fishermens’ Club on Friday night showcasing the cheeky talent of Kiki and Pascals, an international touring duo.
“Saturday begins with the Poet’s breakfast and pre-parade entertainment on Imlay Street, with a full day of entertainment at Snug Cove and exhibitions around town,” Ms Chenhall said. “Unique to the festival this year is a Pelican Expeditions Sunset Fireworks Cruise showcasing local produce and great wine, departing Snug Cove at 7pm on Saturday night. It’s an exclusive event for a maximum of 40 people, with half the tickets already sold.”
Eden Marine High School music teacher Robyn Martin has organised a huge line-up of local and regional music for Saturday’s Whale Song Sunset gig at Snug Cove, after which there will be a Port Authority of NSW Fireworks Show, then more music at the Eden Fishermens’ Club.”
Sunday is “Discover Eden” day, including a hot rod show and shine, and guided tours including the Killer Whale Trail as part of an open day at the Davidson Whaling Station.
But it’s the hop-on hop-off shuttle bus that Eden Tourist Information Centre manager Shannon Woloshyn believes will be a crowd favourite.
"Passengers can hop on and off the bus as they wish or just relax and learn all about Eden’s history and quirks with the guides,” Ms Woloshyn said. “The bus tour will only be on Sunday November 1, with the first bus leaving at 9.30am from the Visitor’s Centre and every half hour afterwards.”
The 50 minute tour includes many stops such as Aslings Beach, Eden’s historic cemetary, Art on Imlay, Rotary Park lookout, the Phantom Fleet and Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre.
The Seahorse Inn, Boydtown, is the suggested lunchtime hang-out on Sunday, and visitors are encouraged to bring their swimmers and snorkeling gear.
Kayaking tours, oyster chucking competitions, marine education activities at the marine centre and whale-watching tours are also on the packed agenda, and the “Beyond Balawan” exhibition at the old Retravision store at 167 Imlay Street is a must, showcasing mixed media artists inspired by the Bundian Way.
For more information see the Eden Whale Festival website on:
or call the Eden Tourist Information Centre on: 6496 1953
