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TUGGERAH LAKES MARDI GRAS - 2005 REVIEW |
 WOW! How much bigger can one annual event get?
Ask a weary but extremely satisfied Cathy about this time next year.
The Mardi Gras kicked off the 2005 silly season with a well organised bang over this week-end and what a bang it was. The colour, the floats, the hero's and villains, the music, the food, the water, the animals, the races and the fireworks...all came together beautifully to make what will possibly go down in the books as the best Mardi Gras to date.
The weather was perfect for day one of the Mardi Gras 2005. The atmosphere and the entertainment were once again a credit to the brilliant team at The Entrance Town Centre and MC for the festival Mr. Dave Sutherland.
 The Street Parade, the Belly dancers, the music and the presentations gave way to the battle between The Green Goblin and Spiderman to finally help save the environment from contaminated recycling.
Once it was safe again the crowds could then relax and listen to the exceptionally talented James Blundell and his fine band of musicians performing on the Memorial Park stage. The sound, lights and the stage set up were professionally handled by the great guys from Entertainment Installations. The quality sound and production gave the show a great edge.
You can read more on James' part of the Mardi Gras here.
A hard act to follow is Mr Blundell but Santa was well welcomed by eager fans, young and old, to light up the parks Christmas tree and officially herald the Christmas season open at the Entrance.
Santa was followed by the massive fireworks display staged by local fireworks company, CENTRAL COAST FIREWORKS. Some new concoctions made for a different and even more awe inspiring pyrotechnics display.
The well behaved crowds gave the ever present police and security little problems and as per usual, the wonderful folk from St John ambulance and first aid were on hand for those that Spiderman couldn't fix.
Cathy and her team are going to have a job and a half to top this years Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras, but if anyone can do it, she surely can. |
MORE DETAILS FROM THE ORGANISER:
The 54th annual Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras was a huge success with an estimated crowd of approximately 20,000 attending the festival over the weekend.
Memorial Park was a buzz with atmosphere throughout the weekend, with the great line up of entertainment and activities on offer.
Saturday was the main day of the event, where around 15,000 people visited the town. People lined The Entrance Road to watch the Grand Street Parade that traveled from Long Jetty to Memorial Park. The parade was the biggest to be seen in many years, with approximately 80 vehicles and walking groups. There was a wide array of weird and wonderful floats, including themes such as Batman, Bollywood, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Grease and Water Conservation, plus stilt walkers, marching bands and NBN's Big Dog!
The visit to Memorial Park of Spiderman and his evil foe, the Green Goblin, brought smiles to the vast number of children at the event.
The park was packed for the highlight of the festival – the performance by James Blundell . His energetic and powerful show, plus fascinating dialogue, made the night just perfect under the stars. The night culminated in a huge fireworks display that filled the sky with light and colour.
After a big Saturday, the Sunday took on a more relaxed feel with smooth jazz sounds and a treat with the reggae beats of the Calypso Boys. The egg & spoon and three legged races were enjoyed by both children and adults alike, with some fierce competition in both the fish throwing and ice cream eating competitions. The major feature of the day, the Ducks for Bucks race, was a hit with unprecedented duck sales. For the first time in the history of this event, all the little ducks were sold out by mid Sunday morning for this great event supporting Surf Lifesaving on the Central Coast .
With beautiful weather, great entertainment and record crowds, the Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Festival was a huge success.
Find listed below the winners from the major competitions in the festival:
Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Queen: Rebecca Stanton , sponsored by the Central Coast Express Advocate
Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Queen Runner Up: Jennifer Bellwood , sponsored by Mingara
Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Prince: Jaiden Young , sponsored by Devine School of Dance
Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Princess: India-Blue Granger
STREET PARADE :
Parade Grand Champion: Toukley RSL
Most Original Business Float: Cassanova Oysters
Most Original Business Float Runner Up: Bliss Hair Beauty Body
Most Original Community Float: Wyong Musical Theatre Company
Most Original Community Float Runner Up: 1 st Tumbi Scout Group
Most Comical Business Float: Central Coast Express Advocate
Most Comical Business Float Runner Up: The Lolly Barn
Most Comical Community Float: Wyong Musical Theatre Company
Most Comical Community Float Runner Up: 1 st Tuggerah Lakes Cub Pack
Best Decorated Business Float: Central Coast Express Advocate
Best Decorated Business Float Runner Up: Toukley RSL
Best Decorated Community Float: Wyong Musical Theatre Company
Best Decorated Business Float Runner Up: Shelly Beach Surf Club
Best Walking Group: Dance Power
Best Queen's Float: Central Coast Express Advocate
The Entrance Town Centre Management would like to thank the local community for their support of this festival.
Contact: Rebecca Jones
Marketing and Event Coordinator
The Entrance Town Centre Management 4333 5377 |
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TUGGERAH LAKES MARDI GRAS - 2005 |
Country Music Sensation, James Blundell At The2005 Mardi Gras:
 One of Australia 's hottest country music artists, James Blundell , is leading the celebrations at the 54 th annual Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Festival at The Entrance. The platinum selling artist will be appearing on Memorial Park stage from 7pm on Saturday, 3 rd December. Entry is free for the whole family so get in quick to secure your front row seats.
You don't need to be a country fan to enjoy this world class act with Blundell defying the traditional country music sound to create his own brand of country infused with rock and just a hint of pop. With a career spanning 15 years, Blundell has received 9 Golden Guitar awards and is a four time ARIA Award nominee. Blundell's mixture of toe-tapping country and hair-raising rock is sure to have the whole family on their feet dancin'!
But wait…there's more! There is a smorgasbord of events and activities happening at The Entrance Mardi Gras Festival this 3 rd and 4 th of December. On Saturday, the day kicks off with popular Newcastle duo, Scratch Me Happy and the Toowoon Bay Ocean Swim. The streets of The Entrance will then come alive with the fabulous floats in the Grand Street Parade. After the parade, the crowd will be treated to a performance by the Tuggerah Lakes Show Band, prior to the announcement of the 2005 Tuggerah Lakes Queen, Prince and Princess. The kids will be treated to some great entertainment, including GULP and Spiderman vs Green Goblin. They will even get to meet Spiderman during a special ‘meet & greet session'. Tezza & The Twistops will get the crowd dancing from 5.15pm , with James Blundell coming on at 7pm for a special performance. The night will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display at 9.15pm .
On Sunday, the great entertainment continues. For the energetic, the day has an early start with the Central Coast Half Marathon & Mardi Gras Fun Run. From 9am , the morning takes a different pace with the smooth sounds of the Neilsen Gough Jazz Quartet. From midday, the Calypso Boys will be entertaining you with their reggae sounds, and the channel will be full of those little yellow creatures for Surf Lifesaving's ‘Ducks for Bucks' Competition. The whole weekend is jam packed full of fun and entertainment for all the family. Call 4333 5377 for further information.
Contacts: Rebecca Jones, Marketing and Event Coordinator
The Entrance Town Centre Management:
ph. 4333 5377 |
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Whats On Central Coast
is run by a true local, born in Gosford and is very proudly Central Coast & Australian owned and operated.
An extensive knowledge and a love of the area plus a genuine interest to promote all it has to offer is what sets Whats On Central Coast apart from the others.
So if you are looking for holiday, temporary or permanent Central Coast accommodation, a spot of Central Coast shopping, some brilliant Central Coast entertainment, a surf report before a dip in one of the many pristine Central Coast Beaches or a round of Golf followed by some fish and chips or maybe 5 star cuisine from one of the many Central Coast restaurants or take-away's you have definitely arrived at the right place..
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Check the links above and also to the left and find all you'll need to enjoy a night out on the town or a whole holiday!
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THE GALLERY
SPIDERMAN
DAVE SUTHERLAND - MC
JAMES BLUNDELL |
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