Central Coast Council will launch its popular Festival by the water at Gosford on Friday 15 September with a teaser of what visitors can expect at The Lakes Festival this year.

The popular annual event is in its third year and will be even bigger and better in 2017, with more than 20 free events making a splash across the Central Coast from 10-19 November – including new event hubs at Gosford and Ettalong for the first time.

Council Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said locals and visitors can expect to see an expanded program with new events this year including one at the Gosford Waterfront.

“The Lakes Festival is just growing bigger each year and is now a true Coast-wide event,” Ms Vaughan said.

“This year we have 26 events designed to activate, educate and celebrate our local waterways across 10 days at seven different locations – so there’s certainly something for everyone!”

Some of the new events include Mov’In Bed Outdoor Cinema, movies under the stars in the comfort of a bed by lake; Perfect Strangers, a unique dining experience with a celebrated local chef; the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival has also jumped on board; and Park Feast, a pop-up food truck Festival at Gosford waterfront.

Popular events such as the Triathlon, Colour Run Family Fest, Long Jetty Street Festival and the Lighthouse Folk Festival will all be making a return to the annual program as well as Light up the Lake with headline act, The Potbelleez.

“And to give you a taste of the new-look Festival, we will have 500 free food samples to give away as a teaser of what you can expect to see at Park Feast  as part of our program launch on Friday,” Ms Vaughan added.

“We have ticketed events and a wide range of free events for the whole family - make sure you check out our program online.”

The 10 day Festival will feature a full program of sporting, family, cultural, educational and live music events on and surrounding the Central Coast’s waterways including:

• Memorial Park, The Entrance
• Picnic Point, The Entrance
• McKenzie Reserve, Budgewoi
• Canton Beach Foreshore
• Long Jetty Foreshore
• Gosford Waterfront
• Ettalong Foreshore.

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said last year’s Festival attracted more than 40,000 people and the expanded program is expected to deliver even more this year.

“The Lakes Festival is proving to be a successful event on the Central Coast event calendar that showcases one of the region’s best assets and has a real community feel,” Mr Reynolds said.

“This year we have expanded the Festival to Ettalong and Gosford, giving us more opportunities to activate the waterfronts all over the Central Coast.

“The Festival is a great way for our residents and visitors alike to take part in a wide range of interesting events and explore our beautiful waterways at the same time.

“It makes you realise how lucky we are and what a beautiful environment the Central Coast is for us to enjoy and showcase to the world.”

Join in the launch of The Lakes Festival on Friday 15 September from 10am at Gosford Waterfront.

There will be two food trucks on hand giving out 500 free samples as a teaser of what visitors can expect at the new Park Feast Pop Up.

Find out more details on The Lakes Festival by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/thelakesfestival or follow the program online at: facebook.com/thelakesfestival