Bumper weekend of events may attract thousands

The City will come alive this weekend with Newcastle hosting multiple major events including world class sport, live music and family entertainment.
There will be no shortage of things to do from Friday, with the Newcastle Show, Matildas versus Vietnam, Surfest final, The Drop music festival and Barrelled Food and Wine Festival expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the bumper weekend would provide an economic boost for the city while demonstrating Newcastle’s growing reputation as an ‘event city’.
“As thousands of visitors stream into Newcastle for the weekend, we’re poised to show-off our spectacular natural coastline, outstanding sporting facilities, and showstopping entertainment and cultural scene,” the Lord Mayor said.
The Matildas Australian women’s football team will vie for a ticket to Tokyo on Friday as they take on Vietnam at McDonald Jones Stadium in the first of two Olympic qualifying matches.
“City of Newcastle has been a strong supporter of women’s football, and we can’t wait to host the Matildas again at McDonald Jones Stadium,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I encourage all Novocastrians to show their support by turning out to the match to cheer on our hometown star Emily van Egmond and the team as they shoot for Olympic glory.
“Internationally, we’re attracting more major events, as showcased by the recent Asian Cup, Wallabies announcement and yet another Matildas fixture.”
Merewether Beach will be a hive of activity as the iconic Surfest celebrates its 35^th year on Newcastle’s sporting calendar. The event is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere with over 850 national and international male and female competitors taking to Merewether Beach’s world-renowned waves.
Across town The Newcastle Show is set to deliver family fun from Friday to Sunday with rides and amusements, livestock parades, show jumping and various attractions such as speedway and motocross cars at Newcastle Showground. The long running event offers three days of entertainment with marching bands, fireworks, an agriculture pavilion, exhibition centre, a mini cinema and sideshow alley.
Surfest affiliated event Barrelled Food, Wine and Beer Festival will feature a fantastic line up of Hunter Valley wine producers, food from quality local restaurants as well as craft brewers in Jefferson Park alongside the action at Merewether Beach.
The good vibes will continue with The Drop Festival attracting hit Aussie artists to Empire Park for an event dedicated to the community, culture and a shared love of the ocean. The all ages annual music festival follows the World Surf League Championship League.
For more information about the weekend’s events, visit www.visitnewcastle.com.au/whats-on