Spring racing, concerts, marathons — Melbourne is reclaiming its title as Australia’s major event capital, as the city bursts back to life after lockdown.
Melbourne is finally ready to reclaim its crown as Australia’s major event capital with Derby Day races and a live concert featuring some of Victoria’s biggest music acts.
A crowd of 5500 will help kickstart the Melbourne Cup Carnival in style at Flemington, recharging the state’s sporting calendar before up to 10,000 spectators celebrate the first Tuesday in November.
And — in a win for sports fans — more general admission tickets to the Melbourne Cup are set to be released to the general public.
The city’s much loved music scene will also roar back to life, with about 4000 people packing the Sidney Myer Music for the “Play On Victoria’’ concert on Saturday night.
Show-starved music fans will rock out to the likes of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard and Baker Boy at the Covid-safe event, with only double vaccinated patrons allowed at the races and concert.
Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said it was the start of Melbourne returning to its marvellous self, thanks to Victorians rolling up their sleeves.
“With crowds at Flemington, music lovers at the Bowl and gigs around the state, it really shows the buzz is back,’’ he said.
“These events are a great way to kick things off; it’s what we’re known for and what we do best.”
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich said welcoming spectators back to Flemington was significant after last year’s Cup Carnival was staged before empty stands.
“Sport is about bringing people together and racing, particularly at Flemington, people are at its centre,’’ he said.
“We would normally host up to 100,000 patrons for each of the four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and it will be a lot less in number this year, although we are privileged to host any given the circumstances we’ve been through.’’
Just 500 tickets were made available to the public to each day of the Carnival but with VRC members still to snap up all seats, Mr Rosich revealed an extra batch would go on general admission sale.
“The areas that sit outside the traditional VRC member spaces, which we are referring this to in this Carnival plan as the pink and green zones, there are tickets that can be snapped up by the general public,’’ he said.
At 3pm on Friday, up to 600 Derby Day tickets were available, as well as up to 1500 Melbourne Cup seats.
Melbourne’s wacky weather will play its part in proceedings, with showers and a top temperature of 17 forecast for Saturday.
But a sunny 29C has been forecast for Cup Day.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said the return of major events would boost the economy.
“What better way to celebrate hitting Victoria’s 80 per cent double-vaccination target than going from retail and hospitality’s champagne Friday opening straight into the first day of the Flemington Spring Racing Carnival’s Derby Day on Saturday?’’ he said.
“Not even Melbourne’s inclement weather will be able to dampen the spirits of racegoers finally celebrating our famous Spring Carnival in front of crowds.’’
Mushroom Group chief executive Matt Gudinski said the Music Bowl concert was “an important step in getting large scale music live events back up and running in Victoria – the music capital of Australia.”
With additional freedoms to be announced once Victoria reaches 90 per cent double vaccination rates next month, even more Melburnians will flock to sport, music and events
The Melbourne Marathon was on Friday locked in to return on December 11 and 12, bringing the largest running event Australia has seen since the start of the pandemic back to city streets.
For all the latest Covid-19 News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
