Friday, 09/09/05

TODAY-SUNDAY

Set foot on "official Australian soil" as the ninth annual 2005 Australian Festival celebrates all things Aussie today through Sunday at Centennial Park.

Founded by the Nashville Kangaroos, the event is one of the largest Australian celebrations in North America with more than 25 Australian musical acts and an Australian petting zoo featuring kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras, emus, snakes, lizards and even a dingo.

There also will be food, games, merchandise, clinics and demonstrations, sports, including Australian football, cricket and rugby, and the popular G'Day Mates Schools program, a favorite among children.

Centennial Park is at 2500 West End Ave. Festival hours are 3-10 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5, $3 for seniors and ages 12 and under and free for ages 2 and under. Additional tickets will be sold for the Australian petting zoo, games, rides, workshops and special events.

Please see http://www.australianfestival.com/ for a complete schedule of events or call 460-1401 for more info.

— EVELYN ATZLINGER, STAFF WRITER