SUMMER fun is on the way to the region with the Lake Meran Festival back for 2025.
In its second year, the festival to be held on February 23 between 3-9pm, is set to be bigger and better.
With food, music and entertainment to be in abundance, people are being encouraged to purchase early bird tickets to go into the running to win a food and drinks package.
Lake Meran Foreshore committee member, Cleo Lanyon, said tickets were selling quickly.
“We are very excited to host our second Lake Meran Festival and are working towards it being even bigger and better,” she said.
“Tickets bought before February 8 are not only getting a free raffle ticket but are also going in the draw to win a catering package with food and drinks from our vendors.
“There’s also an umbrella, table and chair package kindly donated to us by the Kerang Turf Club, valued at $600 on offer.
“After the amazing turnout we had for our first festival last year we will have even more food and drink vendors on top of the great ones we had last year.”
Cuisines will range from burgers, nachos and pizza to ice cream, churros and slushies as well as a variety of locally brewed craft beers, wines and spirits.
Plenty of entertainment will also be on offer with Boort singing-star Elias Lanyon set to take centre stage with Trent MacIntosh on the drums.
Ballarat and Melbourne-based band, The Side Hustle will also perform over the course of the day.
The main feature of the day is the unveiling of Bendigo-based artist Moz Moresi’s turtle sculpture, Grumpy the Eastern Long Necked Turtle.
Grumpy is based on a British style of sculpture called Steam Punk and is made from old agricultural equipment, mostly sourced from farms across the region.
“Apart from being a great piece of art for the lake, Grumpy will also bring attention to Lake Meran,” Ms Lanyon said.
“Lake Meran is home to three different turtle species and one of the few locations where the population consists of a wide range of ages.
“This festival is being run by the foreshore committee and volunteers to raise money for the maintenance and improvements of the foreshore and its facilities.
“We’re very lucky to have such a supportive community with sponsorship from local businesses as well as some grant funding from the Gannawarra Shire to help make the day a success.”
Early bird tickets are on sale for $10 until February 8 and can be purchased by visiting Lake Meran festival Facebook page
Children under 18 years of age are free.
