Melbourne's iconic Moomba Festival is set to reignite the city in March, complete with the much-loved Birdman Rally, the colourful Moomba Parade and the Moomba Masters water sports competition.
Australia's largest free community festival will return to the banks of the Yarra River from 11 to 14 March with a jam-packed program of family-friendly fun, including thrill-seeking carnival rides, music performances, food trucks, dance workshops, skate competitions, face painting and crafts.
Two of Melbourne's favourite media personalities, Fifi Box and Peter Hitchener OAM, will lead the celebrations as this year's Moomba Monarchs.
For the first time, Moomba will be a carbon neutral certified event, which will see the diversion of more than 4.5 tonnes of organic food waste - the equivalent of 22,500 curly potatoes.
At the festival, the City of Melbourne will be the first city in Australia to launch the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, assisting those with hidden disabilities. People who need assistance can choose to wear a Sunflower symbol, so that trained Moomba staff can offer their assistance. Sunflower lanyards will be available for free on-site at the event.
The City of Melbourne thanks its major partners, including TAC, 9News, Wallaby Water and Streets.
For the full program and to purchase a Friday Ride Pass for the Moomba Carnival, visit the Moomba website.
Attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp
"I am thrilled to crown Fifi and Hitchy as this year's Moomba Monarchs. These treasured Melbourne media icons have delivered news and entertained us for years. They also add a lot of value to the community as terrific contributors, so we know they will bring plenty of fun and excitement to this year's event.
"We are also delighted to be bringing back the Moomba Parade, Birdman Rally and Moomba Masters after a hiatus in 2021. These vibrant festival favourites are always huge crowd pleasers, and we expect they'll attract many visitors back to the city.
"Moomba is one of the biggest events on our city's calendar and we're expecting almost a million people to revel in the festivities this year, providing a significant boost to our city business owners.
"From daredevils bursting for a ride fix to food-truck-loving foodies and families ready for a fun-filled day of activities, Moomba truly offers something for everyone."
Attributable to City Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell
"Major events are critical to our local economy. They drive visitation and provide a much needed boost to city businesses.
"Prior to COVID, Moomba created a $20 million boost to local businesses as Victorians flocked to the city to celebrate. We're proud to be bringing the Moomba Festival that we all know and love back in 2022."
Attributable to Fifi Box
"I'm absolutely honoured to be asked to be a Moomba Monarch. Moomba is such an iconic Melbourne event that I have grown up loving, so I'm incredibly proud to don the crown and enjoy the celebrations with the community."
Attributable to Peter Hitchener
"I just love meeting Melburnians who make up our vibrant city. Being crowned a Monarch allows me to step beyond the news desk and really connect with our greater community; I'm honoured and delighted to be a 2022 Moomba Monarch."
2022 Moomba Festival program highlights:
- The hilarious Birdman Rally, which will see courageous competitors don inventive homemade flying devices and hurtle themselves over the Yarra, all in the name of charity.
- The much-loved Moomba Parade - starring the 2022 Moomba Monarchs, Fifi Box and Peter Hitchener, featuring 1800 performers and dozens of brilliant new floats.
- The Moomba Masters - showcasing an elite field of Australian and international water ski and wakeboard athletes in competition on the Yarra.
- The Moomba Carnival, with rides for all ages, including The Beast, which reaches speeds of 120km/hr and swings 38 metres into the air.
- A Dance Zone including workshops and performances led by Tik Tok star Jazz TKO and community-focused dance group L2R, as well as kids yoga and African drum and dance workshops.
- A dedicated Pirate's Cove kids play area, featuring a sea-themed playground, roving performers, treasure hunts and face painting.
- The Moomba Stage with entertainment for young and old, including Bluey, the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Mariachi Los Romanticos, The Mamas and Amaru Tribe, as well as sing-along drag time,and bubble shows.
- Skateboarding competitions, including the Australian Skateboarding League's National Final at Riverslide Skate Park, as well as free scoot, skate and BMX clinics, demos and competitions.
- A range of other festival favourites, including roving entertainment, silent disco, ArtPlay, Design-a-Float, nightly fireworks andmore than 20 food trucks offering up festival eats.
