More than 130 novelty Variety Bash vehicles will make their way to Newcastle next weekend, marking the end of a long journey and the start of a community celebration.
The Variety Family Fun Day is taking place at the Newcastle Foreshore on Saturday 27 May from 11am to 3pm and includes an array of family-friendly activities.
The event marks the completion of the 2,160km Variety NSW Bash charity motoring event that departs Dubbo on 21 May.
A convoy of novelty vehicles will travel for seven days, stopping at townships including Eugowra, Greenthorpe, Stockinbingal, Leeton, and Echuca, as well as Narrandera, Murrumburrah, Thirlmere and St Marys.
At each stop, the crews will deliver much-needed funding for equipment at remote schools.
The annual event, now in its 38th year, has helped raise more than $20 million for kids in need.
Variety – the Children’s Charity is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to providing practical equipment, programs and experiences to Australian children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability.
The Variety Family Fun Day marks the end of the outback adventure in which madcap vehicles, at least 25 years old, decorated in different themes,, and their colourful crews, will host a string of free activities.
Entertainment will include stage performances by The Amazing Jono (Magician), Chance to Dance (a dance troop starring children with disabilities), local band Wez Thompson and The Voice contestant Piper Butcher who is also a past recipient of a Variety Heart Scholarship.
There will also be face painting, a petting zoo, fairy floss, balloon sculptures, amusement rides and the Hunter Heroes will also be there meeting and greeting kids.
For a $5 donation kids can get unlimited access to all activities.
This year’s themed vehicles include Avengers, Transformers, Star Wars, Scooby Doo, Thomas the Tank, The Flintstones, NRL and Smurfs.
For more stories like this:
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.