The sound of summer

SUMMER vibes will arrive early in Kerang, with reality television winner Reece Mastin to headline the Summerwave Music Festival next month.

The November 5 festival boasts a lineup of 12 artists, including The X Factor winner, for 10 hours of live music entertainment at Atkinson Park.

Mastin, supported by Melbourne’s One More Weekend, will headline the day with Bendigo’s Amy Tie sure to appeal to many, along with locals The Known (Kerang), Elias Lanyon (Boort), Ivy Black (Swan Hill), Grace Frost (Wallan) and Dillmac (Echuca/Kyabram).

Northern District Community Health (NDCH) chief executive Mandy Hutchinson said more than 500 people turned out to the inaugural festival last year.

“It gives young people the opportunity to see top-notch performers locally and NDCH is extremely proud to partner with our supporters to bring it to our region,” she said.

Summerwave has a committee of young people from across the Gannawarra Shire who work with NDCH to plan the festival. Young people are at the forefront of planning and running the event, including marketing and event set-up.

The committee have been assisted by NDCH youth health promotion worker Matt Allan and North Central LLEN youth programs assistant Molly Meadows.

“To see Summerwave return for a second year will build on it’s incredible success in 2021,” Mr Allan said.

“It continues to be a real highlight in my work with young people and this year they have outshined themselves in terms of what they have achieved.”

Local artist and Summerwave committee member Deaken Fawcett, 18, said Summerwave was an “awesome” community-centered youth event aimed towards supporting young artists as well as giving local youth the chance to see affordable entertainment that they may not get to see elsewhere or in the one place.

Deaken was the first to volunteer to return to the Summerwave committee.

In addition to live music, Summerwave will also feature laser tag, airbrush tattoos and festival body art.

Food trucks will provide tasty food options and drinks throughout the day.

Transport will be available from Cohuna, Pyramid Hill, Boort and Bendigo to help young people get to Summerwave.

Summerwave is a fully supervised, alcohol, smoke and drug free event.

For ticket sales or event details, go to ndch.org.au/events or @Summerwavemusicfestival on Instagram.