The 65th annual month-long festival began this week with the first bands filling the village green with music, while in coming weeks a carnival, crafts and all things Celtic will take up space around town and the wharf. About 50 floats are also expected for the drawcard New Year’s Eve parade. 

Festival chairman Reg Harry said 25 floats, including the Warrnambool Pipe Band, had booked in for this year’s event, with more on the way to fill Sackville and Bank streets. 

“The theme this year is party time so we’re looking forward to seeing what we get,” Mr Harry said. 

One attraction never seen or heard before is the Australia Fair grand concert street organ — a Belgian, 19th century-style steam-powered organ so large it needs to be hauled by truck. 

Meanwhile, the Damien Howe band has been booked to count down to 2013 on the new stage at the village green and the Battery Hill cannons will signal New Year’s Day with the traditional blast.

“New Year’s Day will be a big day. We’ll have the duck derby and monster craft market down at the wharf,” Mr Harry said. 

“We’ve now got everything in place thanks to great community support.” 

Despite the recent telecommunications meltdown, caravan parks in Port Fairy have been booked out into the new year. 

Those wanting to get the full details can go to www.moyneyana.port-fairy.com.