Crowds were gathering as early at 5am at Cronulla this morning to get the best vantage point to watch Sutherland Shire Council two-day Australia Day festival, AUSFEST 2018.
Hailed as one of the largest and longest running Australia Day festivals in Australia, AUSFEST pulls out all the stops to bring people together to celebrate our Aussie way of life.
Last year’s event attracted more than 35,000 people.
And the figures for AUSFEST 2018 show the organisers are expecting to make an even bigger impact.
The event includes more than 100 performers taking part in 20 performances at three sites over two days.
And all have a connection to the shire, either nurturing their career or living here.
Today, the celebrations kicked off at Cronulla Park at 1pm and Blaxland Oval, Illawong at 4pm.
Spectators spread their picnic blankets under the trees and watch the entertainment on the main stage with its spectacular Cronulla Beach and ocean backdrop.
Performers will include Caravana Sun, Neverending 80s, Col Hardy and, taking centre stage at Cronulla, tenor Mark Vincent.
Both events will culminate in the traditional fireworks spectaculars.
Tomorrow, the celebrations will continue at Cronulla Beach with Shire Vibes, a concert with a more laid-back vibe celebrating the endless Aussie summer.
Those who are attending are asked to remember this year’s charity partner, the Enough is Enough Anti-violence Movement.
All the proceeds from the sale of Australia Day merchandise will go to support the programs and valuable work of Enough is Enough in counselling people affected by violence.
