Sawtell Fun Day – Sawtell
Every 12 months, the locals at Sawtell jump straight into the new year with a big day of fun and games on January 1. The Sawtell Fun Day is a century-old tradition that helps start the year on an active note and shake off the cobwebs if you’ve partied too hard the night before. Each year the village green at the Sawtell Beach Holiday Park throbs to the sights and sounds of carnival rides, sprint and novelty races, the Shannon’s Show & Shine car show, food and coffee vendors as well as live music. At the more formal end of the proceedings is the presentation of the awards for Sawtellian and Young Sawtellian of the year. Jill Nash was named the 2020 Sawtellian of the Year for her community work, particularly her involvement in the restoration of the Sawtell Cinema. Her successor will be named by local state MP Gurmesh Singh, while Coffs Harbour Mayor Denise Knight will be on hand to name the Young Sawtellian of the Year, which will be presented for the first time to recognise the area’s achievers aged under 18.
COVID-19 restrictions will be in place throughout the event and mean the traditional street parade won’t be held in 2021. One regular highlight that will be going ahead is the 5.25km fun run, which has been raced and won by some of the area’s best athletes, including nine-time winner Jordan Gusman. Hailing from Corindi, Gusman first made his name in the junior mile that is also run as part of the fun day, before taking his first fun run title in 2012. The 26-year-old has remained undefeated since, setting the race record of 15 minutes 28 seconds in 2019, as he established his career as an international athlete and winning the Australian 5000m title before choosing to run for Malta.
Live music will feature throughout the day, with the Sawtell Ukulele Group, Just Like That, Jennifer Aarts and The Drive-Ins.
When: Friday, January 1
Where: Sawtell Beach Holiday Park
https://www.sawtellfunday.com.au
Sawtell Commons
