Get That Chiller Instinct And Make A Day (or Two) Of It At Daylesford
The Age
Saturday March 6, 2004
Cow pat throwing, handbag flinging and gumboot tossing are among the highlights of this weekend's ChillOut Festival in Daylesford, the event that marries gay and lesbian culture with country traditions. About 15,000 revellers are expected to attend the festival's program of cabaret shows, musical performances, dance parties and tomorrow's carnival, which begins with a tractor parade on Vincent Street from 10.30am. At 11am head to Victoria Park for a country carnival with a difference: children can take part in competitions including tunnel pumpkin (a country version of tunnelball) while grown-ups might enjoy the ``Poofs versus Dykes" tug-o'-war (the dykes are undefeated champions). Visit some of the 30 food and wine stalls run by the Macedon Produce Group, then sit back and watch New Zealand's comedy sisters the Topp Twins feature a taste of their cabaret show. Other musical acts include Daylesford's own funk musicians Nature Strip and dance company Kinetic Groove with some fitting Moulin Rouge moves.
Canine lovers can primp their pooches and enter this year's ChillOut Dog Idol. Drag queens Ms Emerald Stone and Miss Tina Sparkle will be standing by to award prizes for best cossie and best dog trick.
GETTING THERE
Daylesford is about 80 minutes drive from Melbourne on the Ballan-Daylesford Road off the Western Freeway. Victoria Park is on the left as you enter Daylesford. Admission to the carnival is $10 and children under 15 are free. If you're planning to stay for tomorrow night's Beats Around the Bush dance party at the Daylesford Town Hall, bookings are $20 or $25 at the door. Proceeds from both events fund local community services. For accommodation, contact the Daylesford Tourist Information Centre on 5348 1339 or Daylesford Get-aways on 5348 4422. For more information on ChillOut 2004, visit www.chillout festival.com
© 2004 The Age
