Lakes Entrance will come alive this Saturday for the Hooked on Lakes Entrance festival and Lakes Entrance Events’ inaugural dry regatta invitational, which incorporates a twilight market.

With organisers combining forces to ensure that there is something for everyone, Lakes Entrance Events president, Alison Brewer, believes it will be a great day.

“It was great that the organisers of the festival got in contact with us,” she said.

“Originally we were going to have it on Sunday, but they called and asked if we wanted to join them on Saturday.

“It is a great idea as there will be lots of things to do for everyone.

“I think Hooked on Lakes Entrance is in its third year and so far it has been very successful, growing each year. It is all about promoting local seafood.”

The inaugural dry regatta invitational is sure to entertain with the Henley on Todd Regatta, which runs annually in Alice Springs, serving as inspiration.

“This weekend is a trial of the regatta and hopefully it will go well,” Alison said.

“It is going to be a bit of fun and we are looking to do it again during Easter. From there we are thinking about making it an annual event.

“A couple of guys came up with the idea and approached us to do it. They went to Alice Springs and saw the Henley On Todd Regatta on the Todd River, which has no water in it, and thought why don’t we do it.

“So far they have designed about 10 boats.

“It won’t be a sprint race, it will be more about having fun and dodging some obstacles.

“Afterwards we will have a look at the regatta and see if we can add or subtract to it in order to make it better.

“It is going to be a lot of fun. As usual there will be live entertainment from 4pm onwards.”

All the boats for the regatta have been designed and built by Neil Bubb, Ron Swann and Dan McLay, of Pearl Lugger Cruises.

Lakes Entrance Events appreciates the time and effort these three men have put into the construction of the boats.

If anyone is interested in being in the initial trial, arrive at the Foreshore Rotunda at 3pm and get in touch with Neil. Races begin at 4pm.

The races will be over a novelty course, so there should be cause for much entertainment.

There will also be market stalls, food stands and a live music stage featuring local artists such as Hanh Phan and Ro Slyfox.

For seafood lovers and recreational anglers looking for food, fishing and family fun at the festival, there will be seafood cooking demonstrations, fish filleting and preparation tips from the Lakes Entrance Fisherman’s Co-Op, commercial fishers tied up to the wharf explaining their practices and life at sea and free fishcare ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for children and families.