Love retro fashions? Like a bit of toe-tapping on the dance floor? Enjoy lingering with friends over delicious regional food and wine? Then you’ll love the Roaring 20s Festival. Held in Sydney’s Blue Mountains this year’s event takes place on 23rd Feb 2019, so get in quick and you can still join the fun.
Break out the retro gear
Hosted by the Hydro Majestic Hotel, dubbed the Blue Mountains original ‘party palace’, the day kicks off with the Majestic Charleston for Charity dance event followed by the Majestic Long lunch.
The Swing Katz in action
It only costs a gold coin donation (for the Blue Mtns Rural Fires Service) to join the Charleston shenanigans and it’s loads of fun! Don’t panic if you can’t dance, the gorgeous gals from the Sydney Swing Katz teach you on the day in a mass lesson and it’s as simple as step, tap, step, tap, shimmy and pose! After a few practice sessions you’ll be swinging your hips like you own the dance floor!
Join the Charleston for Charity
This is a family-friendly event and there are loads of prizes for the best-dressed, including children’s prizes, so take some inspiration from my images in this post and raid grandma’s wardrobe, rummage in the dress-up box or rush to your local op shop (it is a charity challenge after all!). It’s fabulous fun just watching the fashions at the event, the excitement is contagious and everyone is happy to be photographed, so take your camera.
Fun for the whole family
Of course 1920s fashion is not just flapper dresses and feather boas as I learnt at last year’s Long Lunch fashion parade featuring outfits from the Darnell Collection, now known as the Charlotte Smith Fashion Collection. Presented by Charlotte Smith and Rodger Leong, of the Powerhouse Museum, the parade featured local models and provided an intriguing and informative snapshot of Art Deco fashions.
Parade of 1920s fashions
The Majestic Long Lunch is held in the hotel’s magnificent ballroom and promotes regional food and wine. The shared feast includes enormous platters piled high with delicious produce and is presented by Lindy Milan and Plate Up Blue Mountains. Afterwards head to Cat’s Alley for a decadent cocktail like the ladies of yesteryear. Take a history tour of the hotel and learn about founder Mark Foy, the plight of guests arriving for the opening celebration and past famous guests.
Cat’s Alley
In keeping with the retro theme, why not take a leisurely tour with Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillacs. Feel the wind in your hair as you cruise in one of their three La Salle models from the 1920s.
Cahillac La Salle ‘Flora’
Following are some more images to inspire you…
A touch of elegance
Do you love dressing up for festivals? What dress-up festivals are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear your stories.
More: Read about other things to do while you are at the festival in my article for Senior Traveller.
To book: To register for the Charleston for Charity click here. To book for the Majestic Long Lunch click here. Hope you have as awesome a time as I did!
Disclaimer: I travelled to the 2018 festival as a guest of The Escarpment Group.
