Parramatta Day 2015 to begin on Saturday 7 November
Parramatta’s birthday will be celebrated in style on Saturday 7 November, with a host of tastes, activities and entertainment planned as part of
hat Governor Arthur Phillip travelled up the Parramatta River and ordered a settlement be made at the place where tidal water became fresh water.
“Parramatta Day is a unique celebration of our history and our diverse culture, and a chance for families and friends to pack a picnic rug and enjoy a wonderful day out together at one of the most historic sites in our city,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.
“Experiment Farm Cottage is the site of the first land grant in Australia, issued by Governor Phillip to the former convict James Ruse in 1789, who successfully farmed the 30 acre site and proved that a new settler could feed and shelter his family with little government assistance.”
The main stage, hosted by Luke Carroll, will showcase performances by crowd-favourite Wendy Matthews, along with bluegrass band The Pigs (season 6 Australia’s Got Talent semi-finalists), contemporary bush music from the Inland Navigators, and Jacinta Tobin’s Indigenous folk sounds.
“I am really looking forward to performing to the crowds and being part of this wonderful celebration of Parramatta in such a beautiful and historic setting,” Wendy Matthews said.
As the sun sets, some of Parramatta’s best musicians and dancers will take to the stage for the Parravision talent competition, hosted by well-known actor and children’s entertainer Jay Laga’aia.
“We’re taking our festivities to the next level this year, with some promising performances lined up, including our Parravision contest. We’ve searched high and low and have found a great selection of undiscovered local talent and we’re thrilled to see them take centre stage,” Cr Garrard said.
Special guest judges for Parravision will include Lucy Fisher – lead vocalist of Sydney band The Justice Bureau, Rex Harris – Founder and Chairperson Junior Entertainers, Dr Diane Hughes – Senior Lecturer in Vocal Studies at Macquarie University and Robert Love – Director of Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres.
Raffles College of Design and Commerce will act as ‘Style Police’ at Parravision, providing expert make up and styling to the contestants backstage.
As part of the celebrations, Parramatta City Council is supporting the Parra-Amble event. Part historical treasure hunt, part adventure walking trail, Parra-Amble raises money for mental-health research through Australian Rotary Health. To join, teams must register at this website
Parramatta Day will be held from 12pm on Saturday 7 November.
