For the 19th year, the NOW festival will return to one of Nagambie’s best assets, providing locals and visitors from across the country about 11 hours of non-stop lakeside fun.
While Club2Pub, an open swim of either 1.1km or 600m in the bowl of Lake Nagambie, is a key attractor for the event, the day promises fun for all.
From splash and play at the inflatable water park, a grape stomp competition with Tahbilk wines and music played by The Skerricks, to the floating golf shootout, which has a $5000 first prize payout, and a late-afternoon open-air cinema.
Sissy Hoskin from event organiser Go Nagambie said it all began with a group of community members who wanted to showcase all that Nagambie had to offer.
“It started with community groups wanting to celebrate the water, what Nagambie is known for. It was to try to bring other people in to realise what beautiful waterways we have up in regional Victoria,” she said.
“Way back in the day, when it started, the town was like a highway town that you just drove through. And now, it’s beautiful, shops have developed, the business precinct and food are great – you can’t get a park in Nagambie on a weekend now.
“For tourism and the visitor economy, these events can only add value to the Goulburn region because they’re showcasing what we do best – community spirit – and that’s everywhere in this region.”
Ms Hoskin said the day wasn’t about making money, but was rather meant to be a fun day out for the community to enjoy, which also benefited the town long-term.
It’s made possible by generous local supports, with Tahbilk, Costa Well Grown, Waterways Lifestyle Village and Beer Auto Group being among the endless list of stakeholders making the event possible.
Andrea Richards, who’s been part of the festival since the beginning, said the day was about connection.
“Watching a child’s first yabby race, hearing the laughter from the grape stomp, seeing friends and strangers alike share a sunset by the lake – that’s what the NOW festival is really about,” she said.
Ms Hoskin added that recent events made it all the more significant.
“It wasn’t even that long ago that we were in flood... And, even though the ground’s not blackened over here from the bushfire, we certainly have been impacted because everyone knows someone,” she said.
“I think a nice water festival will cool down the fire chat. Let’s cool it down, and let’s get back in the water and look to the future.”
The festival will be held on Saturday, February 28.
Lakeside events will kick off at 8.30am with a remote control boat display and 9am with the Go Nagambie Lakeside Market.
The Club2Pub swim will begin at 11am, and the day will drift to a close at 7pm with Strathbogie Shire Council’s outdoor cinema.
More information and the event program can be found at www.gonagambie.com.au/now
For attendees wanting to have fun at the inflatable water park, running from 12pm to 4pm, Ms Hoskin said to use the code WATERFEST26 on checkout to get $15 tickets.
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