This life-size inflatable whale will feature at Portland’s Upwelling Festival this weekend.
ART and science, entertainment and education — this weekend’s Upwelling Festival in Portland promises an intriguing and engaging mix of these four ingredients.
An estimated 6000 people are expected to join in the fun and learning tomorrow, festival director Susie Lyons said.
The event celebrates a particular oceanic phenomenon known as the Bonney Upwelling, which begins in November and brings nutrient-rich water to the sea’s surface off the coast of Portland and creates a feast for the impressive food chain that swims, flies and floats in the area.
Ms Lyons said the combination of scientific talks, art projects and the traditional street parade were a way of engaging people in the Bonney Upwelling, which helped provide the fishing and tourism industries that bring so much to Portland.
“Essentially we’re trying to illustrate this amazing scientific phenomenon through art and the community,” she said. “It’s a free family festival that celebrates what Portland is.”
Rain in recent years saw numbers drop, but organisers are hoping the bad weather will stay away for this weekend’s fourth event.
Events will include a blessing of the fishing fleet, markets, street parade, kids activities, talks from leading marine scientists, live musical theatre, numerous art projects and performance by comedian Josh Earl.
Bands performing on the Bentinck Lawns stage include The Eclectic, Vince Brophy & Cora Browne, Moroccan Knights & Josh Rawiri, Blackwood Jack, Tom Richardson Project and Fiona Boyes.
