2003 Festival Brings Australia
Back to Nashville
For
the past 6 years, the Nashville Kangaroos, a 501.c.3. not-for-profit
organization dedicated to promoting Australian & American
relations, have been bringing a little bit of the Land
Down Under to Nashville. This year, the Nashville Kangaroos are back
with their 7th Annual festival celebrating Australia. Once again, on a
September weekend (Sat & Sun 13th & 14th September), Elmington
Park on West End will become Nashville's own piece of Australia as the
Kangaroos host to 2003 Australian Festival.
Starting
in 1997,
when a social crew of Australian
Rules Football fans joined forces with an enthusiastic group that had started playing in
the Nashville area and held the first official Australian Festival celebrating with a game
of Australian Rules Football at Elmington Park followed by a BBQ and Party
in Hillsboro Village.
The 2002 Australian Festival featured a variety of family
activities, including Animals Down Under, Kids Down Under, Sports Down Under, Australian
Exhibitors, Outback Steakhouse Food Court and Aussie Entertainment. Children (and
adults alike) enjoyed visiting and petting Australian native animals provided by Kentucky
Down Under, which included kangaroos, kookaburra, wallabies, cockatoos,
a python and even a dingo.
Animals Down Under also featured a sheep herding demonstration. Kids Down Under
featured jumping castle, dunking booth, climbing wall, as well as games
and other activities.
Australian exhibitors show cased a wide range of Aussie goods and
produce from candy to "meat pies" - an Aussie favorite of
dubious culinary heritage and yes, even Vegemite. Sports Down
Under featured sports for which Australia is known, including Cricket, Women's Rugby and
Aussie Rules Football. Over 5000 attended the two day event.
This
year the 2003 Australian Festival has the following features:
Major Sponsor is the Outback Steakhouse on West End Avenue.
Kids
Down Under including Animals Down Under by Kentucky Down Under
Sports Down Under sponsored by Coopers Beer (Aussie Rules, Rugby &
Cricket)
The Aussie Food Court - by West End Outback Steakhouse
The Australian Entertainment Pavilion sponsored by Party Place (NEW THIS
YEAR)
Australian Exhibitors - companies and products from the Land Down Under.
Air
New Zealand is sponsoring a round trip for 2 to Australia that will be
given away at the Festival (see website for details).
Festival
has no admission fee. Various fees for Animals Down Under, Kids Down
Under, Aussie Food Court and Australian Exhibitors.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Interviews, Pictures and Aussie accents for promotion are available
upon request.
Contact:
Jared Payne - Festival Intern
Nashville Kangaroos/Australian Festival
P.O. Box 128156
Nashville TN 37212
Telephone : (615) 460-1401 – Festival Hotline
Website :
