PARADE goers and viewers watching on TV at home will see a “made in Frankston” float at this year’s Moomba parade in Melbourne on Monday 12 March.
Frankston schoolgirl Lia Velissaris, 8, is one of six children whose design of a float for the city central Moomba Festival was chosen as a winner to be built. There were about 2000 entries from across Victoria.
Lia’s winning design was called Sugar Rush and features lollies and sweets.
Her mother, Sarah Velissaris, said Lia loves art and crafts and entered the Design A Float competition at the Moomba Festival last year.
“After exhausting ourselves with rides and hot weather she decided to give the design a go,” she said.
“She reckons everyone loves candy and her favourite food is ice-cream, so that was her inspiration.
“Melbourne Council prefers the designers to walk alongside the float on the day so she will be interviewed during the parade alongside her brother.”
The Frankston schoolgirl is not the only local connection to this year’s festival.
Mornington Peninsula resident Jimmy Giggle — co-star of ABC TV children’s show Giggle and Hoot — has been crowned King of Moomba alongside Moomba Queen, radio personality Chrissie Swan.
Michael Paul, of Carrum Downs, will also don his flying device to take part in the traditional Birdman Rally on the banks of the Yarra River to raise money for MS Australia. Mr Paul won the contest last year for the longest flight on the day before plunging into the river.
See moomba.melbourne.vic.gov.au for more details about the Moomba Festival in Melbourne on 9-12 March.
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Moomba is held annually in Melbourne, Australia. Run by the City of Melbourne, it is Australia’s largest free community festival. The Melburnian tradition is celebrated over four days, incorporating the Labour Day long weekend, from Friday to the second Monday in March. If you want to know more about Moomba 2022. Click here.