Gladstone Harbour Festival: What's on and when

IF you're keen to plan your week around the Gladstone Harbour Festival, here's a rundown of what is on each day.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1:

The festival kicks off with its opening night, which features entertainment and the popular talent quest.

Rides and sideshow alley will be open from 6-10pm.

Don Costa will perform on the food court stage from 6-10pm.

The talent quest will feature on the marina main stage from 6.15pm, with La Mont, the juniors and then the seniors.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2:

The Gladstone Ports Corporation's Family Fun Night heads festivities today, featuring the crowning of festival queens, LalaLoopsy, Curtis the Turtle, The Octonauts and Mr Bump.

It will all be happening on the marina main stage from 6.30pm, with fireworks at about 8.10pm.

Don Costa will perform on the food court stage from 6-10pm, and the rides and sideshow alley will be open from 6-10pm.

The 2014 Workforce International Gladstone Harbour Festival Parade.Mike Richards

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 3:

Good Friday is one of the biggest days of the festival, and there's plenty happening.

The Harbour Festival Fun Run starts at 7am, with registration from 6.15am.

There will be a 3km and 10km route from East Shores to the marina, taking in Spinnaker Park on the longer route.

The Marina Markets are on from 8am-7pm at the main festival site.

The Blessing and Dressing of the Fleet starts at 10am, with boats travelling along a course in Auckland Creek.

The event features an assembly and ceremonial sail past of fishing, sailing, pleasure and speed boats, which was a mainstay of the festival until falling from favour in the mid-1990s.

The best viewing spots for the event are East Shores and Spinnaker Park.

Kids and big kids alike got a thrill out of rides at the Gladstone Harbour Festival.

The Kids' Zone Marquee will be open from 10am-3pm next to the food court.

Kids can drop in to participate in lantern making.

Rides and sideshow alley will be open from 10am-10pm.

The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race starts in Redcliffe Point, with the first yachts expected to be sighted entering Gladstone Harbour around 7.30am on Saturday.

The Gladstone Harbour Festival Street Parade gets underway at 6pm, with this year's theme being Lanterns and Lights.

The parade will start on Bramston St next to the Gladstone Region Art Gallery and Museum, travelling along Goondoon St before turning left into Lord St and then right to parade across the Marina Bridge.

The parade will then travel along Bryan Jordan Dr, finishing at the Mission to Seafarers building.

There's plenty of entertainment throughout the day on the food court stage. 

Entertainment includes:

• 10am: The Bucketseats
• 11am: Magic Glen
• 11.30am: The Bucketseats
• 1pm: Disco Fever Show
• 1.30pm: The Bucketseats
• 3pm: Magic Glen
• 4pm: Silly Circus Show
• 4.30pm: Don Costa
• 7pm: Talent quest winner
• 7.30pm: Jackson Dunn

Fantastic Friday Night kicks off on the marina main stage at 6.30pm, with the Disco Fever Show, Don Costa and The Australian Kylie Show, featuring Kylie Minogue's greatest hits from the past three decades.

There will be fireworks at 9pm.

The Gladstone Harbour Festival's Great Raft Race – not to be missed.Brenda Strong

SATURDAY, APRIL 4:

The first yachts in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race are expected to start entering Gladstone Harbour from 7.30am, with the bulk of the fleet finishing late Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday.

The much-anticipated Great Raft Race is a highlight of the harbour festival, and will kick off at the Goondoon St boat ramp at 9.30am.

The Marina Markets are on from 8am to 1pm.

There are plenty of free craft activities on offer in the kids' activity zone from 10am to 3pm.

Make your own Mexican basket is on at 10am, followed by Rain sticks from South America at 11am, Make your own Mexican basket at noon, and Japanese flying carp at 1pm.

Phone 4972 5111 to book or drop into the harbour festival office on site to register.

Rides and sideshow alley will be open from 10am-10pm, with two for one rides from 10am to 2pm.

A jetpack display will be held at noon and 5.30pm, with the best viewing from Spinnaker Park and behind the markets.

There'll be cuteness galore at the Teddy Bear's Picnic on the food court stage from 2pm.

There are prizes for the largest bear, smallest bear, most festive bear, most loved bear and oldest bear.

Entertainment on the food court stage includes:

10am: Don Costa
Noon: Magic Glen
1pm: Disco Fever Show
1.30pm: Magic Glen
4pm: Don Costa
7pm: Swim
7.30pm: Jackson Dunn

Sensational Saturday Night kicks off at 6.30pm on the main stage, with the Silly Circus Show, Don Costa and The Australian INXS Show, which reproduces the live spectacle INXS was famous for.

There will be fireworks at 9pm.

Deb Bowen-Saunders during the Bush Poets' Breakfast at the Gladstone Harbour Festival.Luka Kauzlaric

SUNDAY, APRIL 5:

Sunday starts with the Bush Poet's Morning Tea at the food court stage at the marina.

The morning tea, from 9-11am, is $10 per person.

Kids in the Kitchen will feature in the Kids' Activity Zone today.

Participants can learn to make tiramisu at 10am, colourful pasta at 11am, sushi at noon, tiramisu at 1pm and colourful pasta at 2pm.

Phone 4972 5111 to book or drop into the harbour festival office on site to register.

Rides and sideshow alley will be open from 10am-10pm, with two for one rides from 10am-2pm.

There will be a jetpack display at 10am and 1pm, with the best viewing from Spinnaker Park and behind the markets.

Entertainment on the food court stage includes:

11am: The Magic Glen Show
Noon: Don Costa
2.30pm: Silly Circus Show
3pm: The Magic Glen Show
4pm: The Bucketseats
7pm: Don Costa

On the marina main stage the entertainment starts at 6.30pm, with the Disco Fever Show, Swim, and Dan Hamill and band, followed by fireworks at 9.50pm.

Hamill fuses contemporary chart toppers with the sounds of Motown and swing.

From Michael Jackson to Coldplay, Adele to Pharrell, you won't be able to leave the dance floor once he takes the stage.

View Source for More Information

Sydney Family Show - Easter in Sydney 2015

Put on a smile, but prepare to be grinning after you see all the excitement the Dodo Sydney Family Show has in store for you in 2015! The show will return over the Easter school holidays from 2 to 12 April, at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. 

From cheering on the racing pigs, to enjoying the free Looney Tunes stage show, and meeting the life-size stars of the hit movie, Cars, in the Disney Zone, there will definitely be something for everyone!

Don't forget the numerous show bags to choose from and many delicious treats to fullfil your appetite. Plus, the best thing is, it's free entry, that's right, free! Grab the kids and prepare yourselves for a fun-filled family day at the show!

LOCATION: Sydney Family Show - Moore Park

EVENT DATES:

• Thursday 2nd April                                        10:00am - 5:00pm
• Friday 3rd April - Monday 6th April                   10:00am - 6:00pm
• Tuesday 7th April - Sunday 12th April               10:00am - 5:00pm 

Find More Information about this Free Event

Family Easter Getaway accommodation deal at Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone

Treat the family with this great value Family Easter Getaway from Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone. Starting at just $155 per night, package includes:

• Accommodation in a self contained One Bedroom Apartment
• Complimentary WiFi
• Complimentary car parking
• $15 voucher for Rocksalt Restaurant - recently voted 'Best Restaurant in Town'
• Kids stay Free!*

*One voucher per room per night. Kids aged 11 years and under free in existing bedding. Limited service.

Book now: www.metro-hotel-apartments-gladstone.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/family-easter-getaway-hot-deal-accommodation

Gladstone Harbour Festival is bringing the community a jam-packed program that is sure to entertain. Opening on Wednesday 1st April with the new look Talent Quest and finishing with the Festival Finale on Easter Sunday 5th April, the Harbour Festival highlights also include five nights of free entertainment, rides, fireworks and all of your favourite events - just in time for Easter!

Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone are located in the heart of Gladstone - the ideal base to enjoy the festival.

Our hotel is also a great base from which to access many local sights and attractions including the Port Curtis Yacht Club, the aquatic centre, the art gallery and museum, botanical gardens, marina, and a variety of tours to the Gecko Valley Winery, Spinnaker Park and East Shores Water Park, Awoonga Dam, Tannum Sands Beach or take in a show at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre, located just next door!

Visit our website for other packages: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/queensland/metro-hotel-apartments-gladstone/hot-deals/

Easter Accommodation in Sydney at Metro Hotels

Easter Accommodation in Sydney at Metro Hotels









Easter in Sydney 2015 - Metro Hotels has available a great selection of Sydney Accommodation Hot Deals to choose from



Find Accommodation Hot Deals ideal for Easter at Metro Hotels Hot Deals



Metro Hotel Sydney Central



Metro Hotel on Pitt



Aspire Hotel Sydney



Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

Top 6 things to do at 2015 Sydney Easter Show

TOP SIX THINGS YOU MUST SEE AND DO AT THIS YEAR'S SHOW

• See the "best of the best" in Australian agriculture at over 12,500 world class Sydney Royal Competitions
• See the multi-coloured tapestry of the District Exhibits, created from the finest produce in NSW and South-East Queensland
• Watch woodchips fly in the Wimbledon of Woodchopping
• Take a walk on the cuddly side with the Show's family favourite Animal Walk
• Visit the fun and educational Food Farm to learn where food comes from and take part in Cooking with Kids activities
• The Sydney Royal Beer and Wine Garden is the perfect place relax and savour the finer things

When: 26 March - 8 April 2015
Where: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park

Showbags

No day at the Sydney Royal Easter Show is complete without a trip to the Showbag Pavilion. Filled with treats, toys and tones of fun, there’s always a Showbag to suit any age, taste and budget. Plus, you can still buy a Showbag at the Show for just $1.

As a uniquely Australian invention, Showbags originated as early as the 1900’s and started as sample bags offering visitors the chance to try something for free. From sample bags to showbags, there has been bags of fun for years.

• In the 1920’s showbags began being sold as the cost of producing bags for free became too much for companies.
• Showbags have contained a variety of contents over the years, but the first ones mainly contained food products, especially confectionery. Stranger products, such as coal and medicinal products, such as laxatives, have also been included in showbags. 
• During in 1950s, showbags featuring toys began to appear. In the 1970’s celebrity bags were popular with the Madonna and Michael Jackson bags introduced into the Showbag Hall. 

Showbags will be available online from February 2015

Source: www.eastershow.com.au

Sydney Royal Easter Show Traditions 2015

WHEN: 26 March - 8 April 2015

WHERE: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park

Traditions

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is an important annual event for countless Australians in no small part thanks to the traditions and family favourites that can be found every year. These traditions have served to connect generations of showgoers and continue to strengthen the bond between the city and rural Australia.

District Exhibits

The uniquely Australian District Exhibit displays will climb up the walls of the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome providing a creative and colourful tapestry of the country’s best produce. This year, the District Exhibit displays will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC Gallipoli landing by recognising ANZAC men and women in the artworks.

The District Exhibit competition consists of five regions that represent Southern, Northern, Western, Central NSW and South East Queensland. The exhibits are the end result of a year of hard work by passionate agriculturalists, farmers and volunteers, who plan, source, collect, design and install the spectacular constructions for pre-Show judging. More than 10,000 pieces of fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, pulses, wool and other produce are used to create each exhibit.

Fresh produce from each region is available for purchase every day at the front of each District Exhibit. On the last day, there will also be a sale of the produce from 3.30pm-5.30pm offering showgoers the chance to grab a bargain and support Australian farmers. 

When: Daily
Daily: Woolworths Fresh Food Dome

CWA Tea Room

Nothing says Australian country hospitality like the Country Women's Association Tearoom at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. 

If it's the aroma of freshly baked scones and piping-hot tea pulling in reams of showgoers, it's the warmth of the CWA ladies serving up delicious treats with jam and free cream. Take a tea stop at this traditional favourite. 

When: Daily
Where: Arts and Crafts Pavillion

Grand Parade

The Grand Parades celebrate the best-of-the-best in agriculture at the Show. The three parades showcase competition winners, including animals, producers and champion woodchoppers in a procession around Spotless Stadium. 

The first Grand Parade was held in 1907 and has been a Show favourite ever since. Don't miss the opportunity to cheer on the best that Australia agriculture has to offer and be part of one of the Show's richest traditions. 

When: 
Saturday March 28 at 5.25pm
Tuesday March 31 at 4.20pm
Friday April 3 at 4.15pm

Arts and Craft

The Sydney Royal Arts & Crafts Show has been a feature of the Sydney Royal Easter Show almost continuously since 1869. It is the biggest Arts & Crafts Competition in Australia, attracting over 4,500 entries, across almost 300 classes. Entries include portraits, rural landscapes, photographs, sculptures, pottery, cake decorating, silverwork, sugar art and more, all of which are on display in the pavilion throughout the Show. New classes this year include Digital Artwork, Woven Tapestry and Lace.

Leather work will be the Feature Display in the Arts & Crafts Pavilion at the 2015 Show. Showgoers can see amazing demonstrations of craftsmanship that goes in to creating saddles, corsets, belts, whips and bags.

Visitors to the pavilion should not miss the Standard of Excellence Cabinet, featuring the ‘best of the best’ from the craft sections, and the hotly-contested Perishable Cooking Competition on 26 March at 1pm.

When: Daily 9.30am-8.30pm
Where: Arts and Crafts Pavilion 

Woodchop

The Sydney Royal Woodchopping & Sawing Competition has been a feature of the Sydney Royal Easter Show for over a century. Attracting over 220 male and female competitors from Australia and overseas who compete in 65 different classes, this is the only Show competition that is also a World Titles event. It is for this reason that the Sydney Royal Woodchop Competition is widely recognised as the ‘Wimbledon of Woodchopping’.

The 2015 competition will feature increased prize money for all 5 World Championship events, and a new Veteran Teams Relay between NSW and Tasmania for axemen over 60 years of age.

Do not miss these World Championship events:

• The Manny McCarthy Memorial 375mm World Championship Underhand - Saturday 4 April 2:10pm
• 375mm World Championship Standing Block – Monday 6 April 2.40pm
• 325mm World Championship Tree Felling Contest – Friday 3 April 3pm
• 375mm World Championship Sawing Contest (Single handed) – Saturday 28 March 12.30pm
• 600mm World Championship Sawing Contest (Double handed) – Sunday 29 March 1.30pm

Woodchop will also feature every night in Spotless Stadium from 7.30pm as part of the all-new Woodchop Showcase.

When: Friday 27 March – Monday 6 April 2015, from 9am

Where: Channel 9 Woodchop Stadium

Showgirl

Every year, The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition shines the spotlight on the brightest young women across country NSW. The event attracts high-calibre competitors who display confidence, rural knowledge, ambition and a passion to represent country Australia and has made a significant contribution to the advancement of women in regional and rural areas ever since the first Showgirl crown was awarded to Margaret Mackay of Dungog in 1962.

More than 500 women enter each year in the hope of becoming a young female ambassador for rural NSW. Brodie Chester from Bega, NSW, was selected as the winner of the 2014 competition over 16 finalists. The winner, who will become an ambassador to promote the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the agricultural show movement across NSW, will be announced at the conclusion of the event.

When: Sunday March 29 at 2pm
Where: Big Top Amphitheatre

Rodeo

The country’s best Bull Riders, Steer Wrestlers, Bareback Riders and Barrel Racers will be performing each night as part of the Sydney Royal Rodeo Series. Rodeo will feature a National Allstars competition comprised of the 2014 and 2015 top-ranked riders in the country, as well as a rookie wildcard for each competition over two nights.

When: Every evening from 6.30pm
Where: Spotless Stadium

Flower and Garden

Judging of the Sydney Royal Flower & Garden Show takes place every second day of the Show, with a new competition with different varieties of flower and plants judged, that then stay on display for the day after judging. Flowers are judged on their condition, colour, freshness and overall presentation.  New this year is the NSW & ACT Dahlia Championships, which will be judged on Good Friday, 3 April.

Showgoers can also purchase or order flowers to be sent anywhere within Australia, at the Florist Shop in the pavilion.

Kids can take part in the Flora Kulchas activities, dress a scarecrow at the Scarecrow activity, or try their hand at planting seeds at the Little Diggers activity outside the pavilion. 

When: 9.30am-8.30pm. Judging from 8am every second day of Show.
Where: Flower and Garden Pavilion

Source: http://www.eastershow.com.au/explore/Show-Traditions.aspx

Easter Family Getaway - at Metro Hotel on Pitt

Easter Family Getaway - at Metro Hotel on Pitt

Treat the family with our Easter Family Getaway from $310 per night.

Package includes:

• Accommodation in a Superior Queen & Single room for up to 2 adults & 2 children
• Easter chocolates on arrival, complimentary Wifi
• Sydney Attractions family pass (two adults & two children 0-12 years) to your choice of any two attractions including: Sydney Tower Eye; Sea Life Sydney Aquarium; Madame Tussauds; Wild Life Sydney Zoo; Manly Sea Life Sanctuary

Book now for Easter: http://www.metro-hotel-on-pitt.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/easter-family-getaway-hot-deal-accommodation

Terms and conditions may apply, please see booking page for further details.