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COOLY ROCKS ON 2012…. there’s gonna be a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on!

Thursday, 31 May, 2012 - by Brian Usher Motoring

COOLY ROCKS ON is Australia’s number one ‘50s and ‘60s inspired nostalgia festival. Over 11 action-packed days, the border towns dish up a feast of non-stop rock’n’roll, rockabilly, swing, dancing, competitions, music and live performances. Devotees of ‘50s and ‘60s music and memorabilia travel from all over Australia and overseas to attend this annual event.

Throughout the festival, the streets of the border towns are crammed with rare and extraordinary pre-1974, much loved classic cars. This year, the total value of cars on display is expected to top $30 million.

Nightly car cruises (9 and 10 June) are a festival highlight, so take a table at one of the many streetside restaurants or cafes and watch the very entertaining, and sometimes ‘audibly competitive’, passing parade.

During the Grand Finale weekend - 9 and 10 June – Marine Parade and Griffith Street are closed to traffic for one massive street party. Outdoor stages, music and dancing are the order of the day and when you can dance no more, take a wander through retro markets and stalls, check out the hundreds of cars, or experience the exhilaration of riding a Harley Davidson on the specially designed ‘Jump Start Dyno machine’.

Six outdoor stages (9 and 10 June), a massive marquee on the beach (8-11 June), and almost every pub and club in the border towns will be venues for live music and dancing.

Make sure you take your camera and the kids along to another festival highlight…. The Poodle Ooodle Parade (Sunday 10 June.

Park and ride via Surfside bus lines is recommended for visitors to COOLY ROCKS ON. See website for precinct maps and details.