The festival rocks and rolls into Coolangatta.
The festival rocks and rolls into Coolangatta.
When we think of cruisy Coolangatta, our minds wander to the sandy beaches, epic surf, plethora of awesome eats and drinks, and drum roll (or should we say epic guitar riff) please….the iconic Cooly Rocks On festival! Not just for hot rod car and Elvis obsessed dads, this annual extravaganza has something for everyone, with hands-down one of the best festival vibes around. A signature event on our sunny state’s calendar, it attracts thousands of visitors and celebrates the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear.
Rocking out from Wednesday 8th – Sunday 12th of June, we’ve penned a list of unmissable happenings at this year’s instalment. So don your swirliest skirt or your most dazzling leather pants and get ready to make a date with all things cool-y, with fun-loving folk from near and far!
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Don your blue suede shoes for the prelim round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist (UETA) Contest. Experience Elvis Tribute Artists so amazing that they could out-Elvis Elvis! Contestants including crowd favourites Matt Birse and Stuey V will compete for not only first place, but also a ticket to Elvis Week in Memphis, USA! This year you can even purchase a Gold or Silver general admission ticket and secure a spot at each round! Thank you, thank you very much!
Where: Elvis Marquee (where else!)
When: Round 1: 11am – 5pm Thursday 9 June, Round 2: 11am – 3pm Saturday 11 June & Round 3 (FINAL): 2pm – 5pm Sunday 12 June
Show‘n’Shine
Ok so even if you’re not a car person (guilty), you can’t go to Cooly Rocks On and not see at least one of their seriously cool motor activations…and this one is dubbed the festival highlight. Get up close and personal as you admire over 900 motors from yesteryear, including classics, customs, hot rods and muscle cars just to name a few. Take a pic and enjoy a chinwag with the owners as you walk along Coolangatta’s spectacular beachfront, streets, and alleys.
When: 9am – 5pm Saturday 11 June & 9am – 4pm Sunday 12 June
Where: Marine Parade, Griffith Street & Goodwin Park
Retro & Vintage Markets
Truth be told, you had us at markets! A yearly highlight is the curated Retro & Vintage Markets staged along the breathtaking Cooly beachfront. Shop the largest range of retro goodies, vintage items, nostalgia and memorabilia from era’s gone by and let’s be honest, nothing gets our motors started like fossicking for rare and fabulous finds! And coz any sort of shopping works up one helluva appetite, there’s also a huge selection of food to refuel. What’s not to love?!
Where: Coolangatta Beachfront
When: 12pm – 5pm Wednesday 9 June, 9am – 5pm Thursday 10 June and 9am – 5pm Friday 11 – Sunday 13 June
Dance Workshops
Hosted by Cooly locals ‘Gotta Swing’, the Cooly Rocks On Dance Workshops will offer various dance style workshops including rock ‘n’ roll, swing, rockabilly, lindy hop, balboa, line dance and more! It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or have two left feet (us), the d floor beckons. You don’t need a pre-purchased ticket or a partner (just buy one there – a ticket that is, not a partner!), plus there’s free dancing at the end of each day with DJ Rhythm Man Mark. Tickets are $10 and we reckon it’s the best tenner you’ll spend all year!
Where: The Strand Coolangatta, 72-80 Marine Parade
When: 9am – 5:30pm Wednesday 8 – Friday 10 June, 9am – 1.45pm Saturday 11 June & 9am – 12.30pm Sunday 12 June
Harvest Moon Swing Ball
Get ready to swing into history at the highly anticipated Harvest Moon Swing Ball! In a celebration of the original swing era, the 1940s style shindig will feature the Mal Wood Dance Band and a complimentary drink on arrival to help you get your best jitterbug on. Then, continue the party from 10.30pm with Dezzie D and the Stingrayz at The Coolangatta Sands Hotel. Tickets are $35 plus booking fee.
Where: Elvis Precinct
When: 7pm – 10pm, Friday 10 June
Miss Cooly Rocks On Pin-Up Pageant
A festival fave, the Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is a blend of the ‘classic’ and ‘rockabilly’ pageants you’ve come to know and love at the event over the years. Watch the pin-ups as they compete for the coveted title as they celebrate the fashions, hair and makeup of bygone times. Plus, enjoy special performances from Ella Fontaine, singer, songwriter, burlesque performer and front-woman for Australian rockabilly and rock’ n’ roll band, The Sugar Shakers.
Where: The Elvis Marquee, Coolangatta Beachfront
When: 3pm – 5pm, Friday 10 June
Time to Rock On
We couldn’t agree more! The Strand Coolangatta is offering shoppers who spend $25 or more in-centre access to the bespoke, retro-inspired hideaway ‘Time to Rock On’! Kick back with complimentary sweet treats and a goodie bag from Truckloads, treat yo-self to a Mr Consistent mocktail, and enjoy a rock’n’roll hair makeover. There’s also face painting for both big and little kids, and even a fashion illustrator to immortalise your rockin’ new look on paper!
Where: Ground level (outside Just Sunnies), The Strand Coolangatta, 72-80 Marine Parade
When: 11am – 3pm, Saturday 11 June – Sunday 12 June
Words by Bianca Trathen.