By PETER DOUGLAS
WITH just nine weeks left before Mount Evelyn erupts into party mode, the Dandenong Ranges community is being urged to clear their diary for Saturday, 24 October.
During the past few months, the Mount Evelyn Township group has been working hard to prepare a packed itinerary.
The biennial event is one of the most important occasions for the town, which will this year include a 1950s theme, ‘Memories are made of this’.
To date, 129 stallholders have been confirmed, while plenty of events will be on offer, including a major fashion parade.
Event co-ordinator, Yolande Pickett, said a buzz was slowly filtering throughout the region.
“The street party is enormously important for the township, because people can show who they are to the community,” she said.
“Participants become more than just a name or a phone number, but a face which people can relate to.
“In the remaining weeks, we want to create real excitement.”
Ms Pickett said the support among the community and organisers had been incredible, with much research going into developing the historical theme.
“We wanted to find out what the town was like 50 years ago,” she said.
“Other themes in the past have included the Yellow Brick Road, but there is so much scope for this event.”
One of the major events for this year is the ‘Mr and Miss Mount Evelyn Pin-up Competition’, in which entrants can gain the chance to be crowned Mr and Miss Mount Evelyn.
The only requirement for the competition is to showcase the best in 1950s style and glamour.
Also required are two images of the entrant in 1950s attire, with an attached biography (100 words or less).
But because dressing up isn’t for everyone, there will also be an historical writing competition, which is open to school students in three categories.
These are for school years 5 to 6, 7 to 8, and 9 to 10.
Entrants need to keep in with the theme of the party, ‘Memories are made of this’.
To celebrate the countdown to the event, Mount Evelyn Community House will be hosting its 1950s Vintage Ladies Night this Friday.
Guests will be able to learn about the history of the vintage pin-up and the elegance of the 1950s.
This year’s street party will run from 10am to 3pm.
For more information, visit www.mtevelynstreetparty.com.
