Nashville's Australian Festival gets high marks as a kid-friendly event with a full lineup for adults as well.

The ninth annual festival is Sept. 9-11 at Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-12 and free for children younger than 2.

Food, vendors, music, animals, rides, sports and more are featured.

There's even a preview on Sept. 8.

The G'Day Nashville Welcome is 5-10 p.m. and is free with music, food and entertainment. The festival runs from 3 to 10 p.m. Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 10 and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 11.

Visit australianfestival.com for the complete schedule.

Kids Down Under is a special festival area with booths designed to tell the story of the country's cultural and educational experience, including the history of Australia's indigenous people, the Aborigines.

On Sept. 10, children and parents can participate in the Kanga Kids Walk at 10 a.m. Registration for the 1K event to promote health is at 9 a.m. Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University also will play host to a Children's Health Fair.

Animals Down Under gives children a chance to see a variety of animals from kangaroos, emus and kookaburras to the Australian sheep dog. The dogs even show off their sheep-herding skills. Kentucky Down Under presents a petting zoo.

A new event this year is the Great Aussie Carnival featuring entertainment, rides and games for children and adults.

Sports Down Under offers competition in Australian football, netball, cricket and men's and women's rugby. Amateur and collegiate teams from across the U.S. will compete in tournament action that will last all weekend.

The Australian Expo, Sept. 10-11 only, will feature vendors to help Middle Tennesseans learn more about travel, trade, merchandise, businesses and services in Australia. Experts will be on hand to help you plan an Australian vacation or learn about Australian wines.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Nashville event without music. Check out these acts at the Australian Pavilion in Centennial Park:

• 7-10 p.m., Sept. 8, The Greencards, Neil Murray and Kylie Harris.

• 7:30-9:30 p.m., Sept. 9, The Gum Trees Gala with Catherine Britt and Murray performing.

• On Sept. 10, the Homecoming Concert will feature Australian rocker Ross Wilson and Nessa Morgan. The music begins at 7:30 p.m.

There will be other music throughout the festival.

In a related event, Australian folklorist, musicologist and writer Warren Fahey will present "A Taste of Australia,'' 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Main Library, 615 Church St.

The program is designed for all ages.

Fahey has been collecting, broadcasting and performing Australian folklore and bush songs for more than 40 years. He has written 14 books and produced hundreds of recordings and countless radio programs.

Fahey, who accompanies himself on the concertina, a musical instrument of the accordion family, also will present a slide show to illustrate various songs and stories during the program.

For more details, call 862-5800 or visit library.nashville.org.

— STAFF REPORTS