Wagga Wagga’s premier springtime celebration of live music, food and culture is almost here.
The Victory Memorial Gardens and Civic Centre Precinct will come to life on Saturday 19 October for Fusion19, with a crowd of more than 10,000 visitors and locals expected.
This year, Wagga Wagga City Council’s annual multicultural street festival will be headlined by Kardajala Kirridarra, Thandi Phoenix, Hot Potato Band and Big Sky Mountain who will bring an eclectic mix of sounds and styles to a crowd of more than 10,000 people.
“We’ve curated an exciting line-up with some of the country’s most creative and talented performers,” Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes said.
“Along with our headliners, there will be a mix of other entertainment including a DJ, roving performers with a 60s sci-fi space theme and our local community performers.
“There will also be popup shops and for families fun activities, giant games and four hours of rolling workshops with the hugely popular Trash Puppets.”
The world on a plate
Food lovers will be able to devour authentic and modern street-style bites from 30 countries. Including Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, China, France, Great Britain, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Tibet, Tonga, Turkey, United States of America and Zimbabwe making it one of the biggest and most diverse menus on offer at the festival.
“From Afghani to Zimbabwean, this year there is a wonderland of international food options on offer in the World Food Village,” Ms Summerhayes said.
“I encourage everyone to grab their picnic rug and chairs, get outside, and have fun with family and friends this weekend.”
Working together to reduce waste
With a crowd of more than 10,000 people, Wagga Wagga City Council and major sponsor Riverina Water County Council (RWCC) are working together to help reduce waste at Fusion19.
‘Riverina Water is excited to be part of Fusion. We’ll be helping our community stay hydrated during the event with fresh and healthy local water at our refill stations,” RWCC General Manager Andrew Crakanthorp said.
“By drinking tap water at Fusion, you’ll help reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles, which can clog up landfill and end up as litter.”
Council has made Fusion19 free from single-use plastic banning plastic beverage containers, plastic straws, plastic cups, plastic cutlery, plastic containers, plastic shopping bags and balloons from the festival footprint.
Food and drink vendors can only provide biodegradable and compostable catering ware, packaging and utensils to festival-goers. Single-use plastic water bottles will not be available for sale.
“Fusion has grown to become one of the city’s premier events attracting thousands of people each year,” Ms Summerhayes said. “Large events also generate a large amount of waste and we are working to reduce that through introducing biodegradable or compostable cutlery and containers as well having green-lid food organics bins at the festival.”
Full festival program now available
Fusion19 will be held in the Victory Memorial Gardens and Civic Centre Precinct from 4pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 19 October. The full program and festival map are now available online at .
Fusion 19 is presented and funded by Wagga Wagga City Council ($50,000) and made possible by Major Sponsor Riverina Water ($25,000). Fusion is also supported by Origin and our Cultural Partner the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga and Media Sponsor The Daily Advertiser.
FUSION19
When: Saturday 19 October, 4pm to 9.30pm
Where: Civic Precinct (corner of Baylis and Morrow streets)
What: Free multicultural street festival with performances by Kardajala Kirridarra, Thandi Phoenix, Hot Potato Band and Big Sky Mountain plus roving entertainers, DJ sets, kids’ activities, street food and more.
