With 1000’s of glammed-up visitors coming to town, Blayney will be awash with neon leg warmers, mullets, big curls, Doc Martens and awesome costumes from seminal movies like Rocky, Top Gun and Dirty Dancing – creating something of pop-up theme park.
The party is open house
In the remaining few days Blayney is sleepless adding final touches as residents count down to the start of the jam-packed program. Even the Leagues Club and Golf Course (for the Trivia Night) are getting themed make-overs so be sure to call in and break some dance moves.
This inaugural Back to the ‘80s party will feature art workshops and exhibitions, a family fun day and pool party, an ’80s car show, retro roller discos, a movie under the stars…and Breakfast Clubs at Toni G’s Bistro and the Ironbark Expresso Bar that would satisfy Pac Man.
Rolling back the ’80s
The fun kicks off this Wednesday, 1 March with the launch of the Back to the ‘80s photo exhibition at the Odd Sock Gallery, where you can view archival images of Blayney and discover her interesting past and quirks, then on Thursday see the opening of the Texture Of One Exhibition at Platform Arts Hub.
To end the work-week there’s acoustic music at the pub, ’80s dining at The Breakfast Club and a Trivia Night.
On Saturday, skate down the main street in your aviator Ray-Bans, hop into a DeLorean – the Michael J Fox time machine icon – and enjoy other ’80s style Cars and Coffee show.
Be dazzled at local businesses dressed with ‘80s attitude, flaunting over-the-top decorations in dizzying colours that helped earn the era the name (or reputation) decade of decadence.
Pop over to Carrington Park’s Family Fun Day where it’s the ultimate party for kids from 10-2pm with party food, hula-hoop competitions, fluro face-painting, a jumping castle and inflatable obstacle course.
A short block away is CentrePoint Leisure Centre’s pool party from 11-1pm where you can pose on your floaty to ’80s hits like a Miami Vice star for some great selfies.
Then try some rexing, dipping and spinning at one of the roller discos on at Blayney High School on Saturday and Sunday. Note: bookings are required as session times are age-specific.
’80s Music and MTV anthems will be playing at the park and pool parties, duke-box-style, and in the afternoon music lovers will have the chance to hear live acoustic sessions at the Exchange Hotel.
Dance the night away
Then, to top off the weekend party be sure to get tickets for Saturday’s Big Night Out for retro food, high hair and dancing the night away to the ‘80s tribute band Countdown Explosion. Think Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Van Halen’s Jump.
The Big Night Out promises to be the perfect girls (and guys) night out with Council expecting several hundred party-goers in loud ‘80s neon dress all jiving under disco balls – and hoping to catch the Mayor’s eye to win restaurant vouchers from local Toni G’s. It will be simply the best.
Then on Sunday there’s a Spirograph workshop for the young at heart (Odd Sock Gallery), an ’80s vintage fashion show including retro wedding dresses (Platform Arts Hub) and, wrapping up, an outdoor screening of Footloose at 7:30 at Carrington Park.
With more goodness than Smurf-Berry crunch
Mayor Scott Ferguson says the Back to the ‘80s party involves many community groups, schools and business – making it likely that the whole community will benefit.
So, be sure to buckle on your skates (and Swatches) and party with Blayney Back to the ’80s for a memorable family fun day this weekend. See the schedule below.
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A HEADS UP FOR CENTRAL WEST MUMS READERS: tickets for the ‘80s Trivia night, Retro Roller Disco sessions and the Big Night Out are limited so pre-registration on Blayney Council’s Event page is required. Here is the event program link
This event is funded by the Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Event Program and is supported by Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations.
EVENT MANAGER
Megan Rodd
Manager Tourism and Communications
Blayney Shire Council
Contact: 6368 2104
Back to the ‘80s Program 2023
Schedule:
• Back to the ’80s Photo Exhibition, Wednesday, 1 March – Sunday, 12 March, Wednesdays – Fridays, 11am–3pm, Odd Sock Gallery
• Textures of One Exhibition Opening: 6pm, Thursday, 2 March. Exhibition: 10am-2pm Saturdays & Sundays, 4 – 26 March, Platform Arts Hub
• The Breakfast Club @ Ironbark Espresso Bar, Friday, 3 March & Saturday, 4 March, Ironbark Espresso Bar
• Acoustic Afternoon, 5-7pm, Friday, 3 March, Exchange Hotel
• ’80s Trivia, 6pm for 7pm start, Friday, 3 March, Blayney Golf Club (RSVP required)
• Cars & Coffee, 9-11am, Saturday, 4 March, Adelaide Street
• Family Fun Day, 10am–2pm, Saturday, 4 March, Carrington Park
• ’80s Pool Party, 11am-1pm, Saturday, 4 March, Centrepoint
• Retro Roller Disco, 1-4pm, Saturday, 4 March, Blayney High School (RSVP required)
• Acoustic Afternoon, 3-5pm Saturday, 4 March, Exchange Hotel
• The Big Night Out, 5-9:30pm, Saturday, 4 March, King George Oval (RSVP and groups encouraged)
• The Breakfast Club @ Tonys G’s Bistro, Sunday, 5 March, 9–11:30am, Tony G’s Bistro
• Retro Roller Disco, 11am–2pm Sunday, 5 March, Blayney High School (RSVP required)
• Spirograph Workshop, 2-4pm, Sunday, 5 March, The Odd Sock Gallery
• Vintage Fashion Show, 2-3pm, Sunday, 5 March, Platform Arts Hub
• Outdoor Movie Night: Footloose, 7:30pm, Sunday, 5 March, Carrington Park
