Central Coast Council is planning to hold a program of entertainment and performances as part The Lakes Festival in November with a range of COVID-safe measures in place.

While the event will look a little different this year, the popular 10-day program celebrates the Central Coast’s beautiful and diverse waterways and Council is currently seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI’s) from local businesses, companies, organisations and community groups who would like to be involved.

Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said The Lakes Festival is built on creative and ‘outside the box’ ideas from across the Coast.

“We’ll have to do The Lakes Festival a little differently this year to ensure we are COVID-safe but it is exciting that we are able to move forward with this special program that celebrates our region’s incredible waterways,” Mr Cannard said.

"This year Memorial Park will come alive with ‘Under The Wave’, a pop up wave structure that will play host to fantastic entertainment featured across the ten day program.

"If you have creative vision and would love to be part of the ten day program we want to hear from you – we’re looking for great music, theatrical performances and ‘outside the box’ creative ideas to fill the space.

“Contributors will need to stay true to the overarching theme of our waterways and will benefit inclusion in our marketing campaign and a listing in the program.”

Guidelines for EOI's include:

• inclusive and immersive entertainment, including live music, magic shows, circus performances, dance groups, comedy nights, movie nights plus more
• environmental focus or a connection to the waterways
• bold, innovative, fun and ‘out of the box’ ideas
• shows need to be ticketed, either paid or free, for 100 participants maximum, while abiding to all social distancing requirements.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was exciting to see plans underway to hold this special program for the Coast in a challenging year.

“The Lakes Festival is without a doubt an annual highlight for our region and it is made possible through the contributions of so many amazing local businesses, groups and organisations,” Mayor Matthews said.

“It has been disappointing to see so many events cancelled due to COVID-19 and I’d encourage creative locals to come together and be part of The Lakes Festival for 2020.”

Submissions close on Friday 7 August 2020 at 2pm and can be completed by visiting – centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/lakesfestivaleoi