Life Saving Victoria has announced Port Fairy will host a two-day state carnival.

The carnival is on the weekend of February 28 and March 1, with more than 100 competitors from across Victoria expected to take part.

It is the first time Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club has hosted an event of this magnitude since the 1960s.

Club captain Paul Buchanan said it would be well prepared.

“It has been a long time coming so we are very excited to have a state carnival coming to Port Fairy,” Buchanan said. 

“In the past we haven’t applied to host these major carnivals because we couldn’t be sure of how much beach we would have.

“But we are confident we can work around that and have competitions running at times when there is plenty of beach, which is what happens in other places.”

State carnivals normally run over one day, with the two-day fixture expected to give Port Fairy’s economy a major boost.

The carnival will feature competitions in a wide range of categories for seniors and juniors.

Port Fairy SLSC has been active in competitions over many years, with the club regularly sending teams and individuals to compete in state and national carnivals.

Hosting a state carnival will give Port Fairy a home-beach advantage and plenty of home-town support.

Given the carnival’s potential to draw a large number of visitors, Buchanan said the club would approach the Moyne Shire for support. 

“We will have a chat to the tourism arm of the council and see what ways they could help us with the carnival,” he said.

“We want to put on the best weekend we can and I’m sure having the expertise of council on our side would help us make the most of this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Port Fairy SLSC will hold its annual meeting on Sunday from 5pm.