Festival experts predict huge snowfall

Jai, 5, is looking forward to Snow Fest. 170201 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Snow will descend on Springvale this month – 80 tonnes of it, fresh from Mt Buller.
The Snow Fest is returning to the corner of Buckingham and Balmoral avenues from noon to 7pm on Sunday 30 July.
The event is in its fifth year and has previously attracted an average of 40,000 visitors.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said Snow Fest had won tourism awards including best tourism event in Victoria.
“This festival allows people to experience all the fun of the snow without having to leave Melbourne,” he said.
“It is a sight to behold to see Springvale transformed into a winter wonderland.”
Entry to the snow play areas is free, rides start at $2 and there will be free family entertainment.
Kids aged three to six years can learn to snowboard through Burton Riglet, and live performances will include a FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands competition heat.
There’ll also be roving performers including snow angels, polar bears and giant penguin puppets.
A fireworks display will end the day at 6.50pm.
Greater Dandenong business group manager Paul Kearsley told the Monday 10 July council meeting that extensive post-event evaluation had taken place.
He said that attendees at last year’s event had to queue for a token to the snow play areas, and then line up for entry.
This year they will only need to line up to get into the snow zones.
Free parking will be available at the Number 8 car park off Balmoral Avenue and the Springvale City Hall site on Springvale Road.