Perisher's Opening Weekend Celebrations Kick-Off June 5th (04-Jun-09)

Perisher, Australia, June 4, 2009 - The Queens birthday long weekend will be celebrated in style at Perisher Ski Resort

The Queen's birthday long weekend will be celebrated in style at Perisher Ski Resort, although a party for Elizabeth Regina II won't be on the agenda. Instead, Perisher will be celebrating the start of the winter season and the official opening of the resort with a four-day Snowy Mountains of Music festival from 5 to 8 June featuring a fantastic array of acts that will keep guests of all ages entertained.

Kicking-off tonight at 5.00pm with the Smiggins Hotel and The Man from Snowy River hosting a great selection of bands, the inaugural Snowy Mountains of Music, is a fun new way to usher in the winter ahead.

The season will officially start on Saturday with the traditional Blessing of the Snow at 10.00am at Perisher's All Denominational Church. A great selection of bands and kids acts will commence from 12.00pm onwards across a smorgasbord of small and large venues continuing right throughout the weekend. No one will be suffering from boredom this weekend with over 45 acts playing a total of 140 shows in 11 venues!

Guests will be treated to an impressive line-up of musical acts including; Nashville guitar legend Bruce Mathiske, the smoky diva Ami Williamson, folk singer Enda Kenny and Australia's number one bluegrass act The Davidson Brothers. Tex Perkins, one of Australia's most enduring rock stars with a quintessentially Australian sound, and the Aria Award winning band The Audreys are sure to wow the crowds.

Highlights for the kids include, a jumping castle, carnival rides and a chance to meet Perisher's very own Professor Nugget and friends. Parents don't miss your chance to pull up a cushion and take your child along for some time out with Lilli Pilli Tales. Grab a hot chocolate and warm those toes with charming stories and songs from all over the world. Lilly and Ann are sure to capture children's imaginations with their otherworldly dreamtime travels. The best part is children under 15 can attend the festival for FREE!

Recent mild overnight temperatures have restricted Perisher's snowmaking efforts, however there will be limited skiing and boarding available this weekend for first timers, plus a mini Fusion Terrain Park will also be available on Front Valley.

Cooler temperatures and natural snowfalls are forecast in the next few days so it looks as though the tables might be turning. The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology has predicted snow showers developing about the peaks on Saturday 6 June lowering to 1300 metres on Sunday 7 and Monday 8 June, which is great news for snow lovers!  

Come be part of the fun and celebrate Australia's coolest music festival in style while you take in the tunes, perhaps you could do a snow dance! Click HERE for the Festival Program or call 1300 655 822 for details.