The countdown is on with Wednesday, October 18 marking 100 days until Geelong’s two hallmark major events – the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Festival of Sails – set to ignite the Geelong waterfront, across the January 26 long weekend.
Gearing up for the eighth edition of the annual cycling event, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race returns to the picturesque foreshore where the event village, start and finish lines create a weekend-long festival atmosphere.
With the support of the Victorian State Government, in 2023, the event welcomed more than 100,000 spectators and cycling fans to the region across the three days. Fans and the general public enjoying two thrilling races in the UCI WorldTour Men’s Elite Road Race and Deakin University Women’s Elite Road Race as well as the beaming smiles on the nearly 3000 faces of the VEGEMITE Family Ride and TAC People’s Ride participants.
Located within Steampacket Gardens, the Velo Village offers a big screen showing the action, sponsor activities, live entertainment, food and beverage and official merchandise. Spots along the finish line barrier will once again be at a premium as the crowd roars home the race to the finish line for the elite races.
Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan; Festival of Sails Chairman, Paul Buchholz and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race People’s Ride competitor, Jo Lad from Highton.
In the same precinct, the Festival of Sails is Australia’s biggest celebration of sailing and the largest keelboat sailing regatta in the Southern Hemisphere. Organised by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, the iconic Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race will celebrate its 181st anniversary in 2024.
The regatta usually attracts more than 250 yachts and over 2000 participants to Geelong’s Corio Bay from around the world each year.
While action on the water takes place, there’s plenty of entertainment across the festival set to bring the good vibes to Geelong this summer. From pop to country, indie rock and kid’s entertainers, past music line-ups have been a celebration of independent and emerging artists from the area.
Both events are proudly supported by the Victorian Government and the City of Greater Geelong.
Marking the 100-day milestone, City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said the region would be buzzing over the January 26 long weekend, delivering a major boost to the region’s tourism economy.
“Having these two events taking over our beautiful waterfront on the same weekend, celebrating the very best of sailing and cycling, creates a fabulous atmosphere,” Mayor Sullivan said. “It’s a weekend not to be missed!”
Festival of Sails Chairman, Paul Buchholz said the racing for the forthcoming regatta would be fast, furious and world class.
“This event is a real favourite for so many sailors and the combination of great sailing, great entertainment and great fun, is always a winner.”
And Cadel Evans added “The countdown is officially on until the world’s top cyclists descend onto the region. It’s amazing to see the Geelong Waterfront come alive with both events and the world-class celebration of sport isn’t to be missed!”
Be a part of the action by signing up to the TAC People’s Ride here.
More information about the Festival of Sails can be found here.