HALLS GAP - Halls Gap is set to come alive yet again this weekend when it hosts the annual Halls Gap Jazz Festival.
This will be the 26th annual Jazz Festival in Halls Gap. For 26 memorable years the festival has been entertaining large crowds. There have been hot and cold, searing heat and rain, wildfires and floods along the way.
The committee looks forward to welcoming back festival regulars and also saying hello to any newcomers. Committee members trust festival goers will all enjoy Australia's most popular jazz festival as Halls Gap transforms for a weekend of great music, laughter and people catching up with old friends.
This unique festival began in 1986 and has continued to grow over the years. Starting out as a 21st birthday party in Roses Gap, through to 1992 when it outgrew the venue and moved to Halls Gap, with 14 bands performing in just one venue. This reunion of musicians and their friends who got together now results in more than 130 programmed bands playing.
Come and enjoy the ambience, relive the memories, and catch up with everyone that have made this Festival such a success.
The committee advises that all event venues offer disabled access with seating provided. There is also air conditioning in all venues except erected marquees.
Grampians Road in the town centre will be closed over the weekend to all traffic from 8pm next Friday until 6.30pm Sunday, February 12.
The festival will definitely not be cancelled on Code Red declared days unless there is a fire that is likely to pose a threat to the town. Program sessions may be altered. Grampians Road will be re-opened to traffic.
Registrations took place last night at the Halls Gap Hall. Registrations are also being taken today from 12 noon.
There is also black boarding for earlybirds at the Mountain Grand Guest House and the Scott Petroleum Marquee.
The program for the 26th annual Halls Gap Jazz Festival:
Friday, February 10. Black boarding at Centenary Hall 12 noon to 5pm. Festival opening 5pm sharp beside Information Centre (weather permitting). Programmed sessions from 6pm to midnight (all badge entry only at - Halls Gap Hall, Mountain Grand Guest House, Pinnacle Lodge, Seppelt Winery Marquee, Scott Petroleum Marquee, Grampians Event Hire Marquee, Golf Club Marquee, Comfort Inn Country Plaza.
Saturday, February 11. Street Parade and Tribute 11am. Musicians assemble at 10.45am beside Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre and will march to Stony Creek Bridge and return to play to the massed crowd. Dress up and join in. Programmed sessions from 12 noon - 12.00 midnight (all badge entry only) at -
Halls Gap Hall, Mountain Grand Guest House, Pinnacle Lodge, Seppelt Winery Marquee, Scott Petroleum Marquee, Grampians Event Hire Marquee, Golf Club Marquee, Comfort Inn Country Plaza (restricted program), Stony Creek (free open air 12 noon-8.15pm). Bring a chair and rug.
Sunday, February 12. Jazz Ecumenical Service 9am at the Seppelt Winery Marquee. Halls Gap Primary School Craft Market at Oval. Programmed sessions from 10.30am - 6.00pm at - Stony Creek Stores (open air) - bring chair, rug etc, Halls Gap Hall (badge entry), Mountain Grand Guest House (badge entry), Seppelt Winery Marquee (badge entry), Scott Petroleum Marquee (badge entry), Grampians Event Hire Marquee (badge entry), Comfort Inn Country Plaza (badge entry), Golf Club Marquee (badge entry), Big Bands Stage (restricted program).
Cost of the weekend badge which entitles entry to all sessions and venues is $55.00 adult/$7.00 under 18 years. Individual single session tickets are available at $25 each per adult for the Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday sessions. Under 18 entry for these sessions is $5 each.
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