Time to Roam Magazine Issue 12 - December/January 2015 | Page 60

|

out the back people
Earl from Brisbane
& Nick from Nimbin

10th Old Bar Beach
VW Kombi Festival
4-5 October 2014
BY DAVID MCMAHON

Every October Labour Day Holiday Weekend
in NSW over 10,000 people gather for two
days at the Mid North Coast Town of Old Bar
to celebrate the Bar Beach Festival.
The Festival started in 2005 when owners of the
iconic VW Kombi Vans came to re-live the 1960s
and 1970s, when as young surfers they slept in their
Kombis to catch the waves at Old Bar Beach.
Around 80 vans came to that first festival,
with a performance by the legendary singer
Normie Rowe a highlight performed. This
year 20 bands appeared continuously over the
weekend, entertaining a crowd of 10,000.
Highlights of the festival included the parade with
135 Kombis dating back to the 1950s parading in
convoy along Old Bar Road into Taree and back.
Fireworks followed the parade on the Saturday evening.
On Sunday over 200 Kombis lined up around the
oval in the “show and shine” competition. Trophies
were awarded to owners in various categories.
The VW display is now the largest in Australia. The
2015 festival will be held on October 3 and 4.

Ali from Sydney on top
of her split screen kombi

For information visit:
www.oldbarbeachfestival.com.au

60

Photos by Andrew Barton

timetoroam.com.au