Victoria Park: Date set for giant street party, tentacles and all

VICTORIA Park’s annual Summer Street Party will be held in December for the first time, with organisers hoping a later date will not affect turnout for the area’s biggest public festival.

Up to 50,000 reportedly attended last year’s event and organisers are hopeful of a similar turnout this year, with the official party area extended by a block to Sussex Street to cater for the high level of interest.

The December 9 date is the closest to Christmas in the street party’s four-year history and was chosen, among other reasons, to mitigate any risk of Water Corporation works along Albany Highway not being finished.

The Water Corporation is replacing the main water pipe along a 2.4km stretch of Albany Highway. The necessary works are on track to finish in November, but have caused disruption to traffic and affected business trade since beginning in July.

Festival director Ken Allen said organisers were in the swing of putting together a line-up of entertainment and fun, including a return of the popular and insta-famous giant tentacles.

Also locked in are Bollywood dance workshops, Chinese lion dancers, Celtic dancers, swing dancers, a new soap box style comedy zone and several acts for the main stage, headlined by alternative indie act Pat Chow.

There will also be market stalls, free face painting and children’s activities, food, roaming performers, carnival rides, sustainability information and activities.

Mr Allen urged people to use the event to make a “terrific start to summer”.

“We’re excited about showcasing as much local Vic Park talent as possible at the event as well as bringing the best of what Perth has to offer to this great festival,” he said.

The Balmoral Hotel has permission to operate a pop up bar and Dutch Trading Company will have one in front of the event’s main stage.

Vic Park Summer Street Party

Date: Sunday, December 9

Time: Noon – 8pm

Where: Albany Highway café strip