South Melbourne Festival Gears Up For Kick-off

The South Melbourne Business Association is launching the first ever South Melbourne Festival to celebrate the diversity and innovation in the area and showcase its unique traders.

The Festival will be centred around Coventry Street, however there will be walking tours, events, performances and special events from local businesses including The Butterfly Club, Coventry Bookstore, House of Snowball and Beggar Man Thief that will feature the whole area from Moray to Ferrars Sts.

South Melbourne Business Association president Sam Tresise said "There are so many things that make South Melbourne unique. You can spend the day in our business district, enjoying great food, culture, parks and shopping. We want to show Melburnians all that we have to offer.

"People know that if they want quality, unusual products, and staff that really know their stuff, you can't beat South Melbourne," he said.

Even Director Sharon Davis said "Traders have told us they really want an event that shows South Melbourne's character - not a boozy concert festival and not a fairy floss and clown festival either."

Davis said "There'll be everything from local performance groups like Melbourne Singers of Gospel and City of Voices Community Theatre, to dozens of fabulous local eateries like Simply Spanish, Claypots Evening Star and the exquisite Chez Dre.

"Our Festival will be classy, interesting and you'll leave you wondering why you haven't been spending more time in South Melbourne," she said.

All South Melbourne businesses and organisations are invited to participate and over 70 have already signed up to take part.

Local businesses can register interest at www.flyingcoloursevents.com.au/smba

With a history in large scale public festivals and work with Associations, Flying Colours Events was an obvious choice for the Festival. Event strategy, stakeholder leadership, paired with logistical know how.

About The South Melbourne Business Association (SMBA), working in conjunction with Port Phillip City Council, is responsible for managing and marketing the South Melbourne Activity Centre.