The annual Welcome Back Shorebirds community festival flies to new heights this October.
Cleveland’s GJ Walter Park is set to host the free community event on Saturday, October 14 from 1–5pm.
Visitors will be able to participate in an Indigenous smoking ceremony, see roving jugglers and acrobats, enjoy tasty treats at food and coffee vans and even say hello to the giant eastern curlew puppet Beako.
There will be an art tent for visitors to show their artistic talents, children’s activities, and opportunities to take a close look through high-powered scopes at migratory birds.
Event coordinator Tania Kromoloff said she was excited this year to be able to expand the family-friendly fun day to include many new activities and displays.
“We invite everyone to bring a picnic blanket or char, kick back and relax for a free afternoon’s entertainment at one of the bayside’s most beautiful locations,” she said.
“There really is something for everyone to enjoy whatever the age or interest.”
The entertainment line-up includes popular celebrity presenter Hannah Moloney from Gardening Australia and renowned Indigenous musician Joe Geia.
Other musicians on the program include Chuck’s Blues Wagon, Velvet Blue Ensemble and Clara Durbidge.
Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle bus which will run from Cleveland train station and near Coles ‘stop B’, Middle Street to the venue and return.
Welcome Back Shorebirds celebrates the remarkable return of migratory birds to the area, some flying as far as 12,000km from Alaska and Siberia.
The event is organised by the Toondah Alliance, a coalition of many local and national environmental groups dedicated to saving the Morton Bay wetlands.
