MELBOURNE – GRAND FINAL FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY FROM THIS  WEDNESDAY!

The AFL’s free Footy Festival brings together the best of Melbourne’s food with ‘Taste of Football’ food trucks and pop-ups, music, kids activities, and of course, footy in a four day celebration! Wednesday 27th September until Toyota AFL Grand Final Day, Saturday 30th September.

Located at Yarra Park, outside Gate 3 of the MCG, the festival will be packed full of some of Melbourne’s favourite food trucks, Australia’s first UberEATS restaurant, pop-up bars, local DJs and plenty of activities for the kids. Culminating in a live broadcast of the Grand Final on the big screen, this has to the best place to get amongst the action outside the MCG.

Members of the public are encouraged to buy a Premiership Cup Pin from the Ladder (with support of Public Transport Victoria (PTV)) stall, with all sale proceeds supporting Ladder’s work tackling youth homelessness.

FOOTY FESTIVAL 2017 PRECINCTS:

The Footy Festival will be held across three areas outside Gate 3 of MCG at Yarra Park.

FESTIVAL TIMES:

Wednesday 27th September 10am-6pm

Thursday 28th September 10am-6pm

Friday 29th September 9am-6pm

Saturday 30th September (Grand Final Day) 9am-6pm

TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL LIVE SITE

The entertainment hotspot and the heart of the Footy Festival site, the Toyota AFL Grand Final Live Site will host free activities for the whole family including interactive displays, prize giveaways and the chance to meet the players.

From Wednesday to Friday, past AFL matches will be shown on the Big Screen, along with award-winning AFL360, the ever-entertaining Bounce and the 2017 Toyota AFL.

Grand Final Parade

On Grand Final Day itself, things will really heat up. The atmosphere is sure to be electric when the 2017 Toyota AFL Grand Final and pre-match entertainment is broadcast live from the festival’s Big Screen. Fans will be able to hear the crowd roar, and join in, from their seat on the Yarra Park lawn. This is the place to head for anyone who doesn’t have tickets to the match.

____________________________________________________________________________

Information & Images Courtesy of Kate & Co – Claudia Hackworth

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatgourmetmag/

____________________________________________________________________________

READ ON FOR PROGRAM OF EVENTS INCLUDING TASTE OF FOOTBALL & KIDS ACTIVITIES…

KIDS ZONE: FUN FOR KIDS

NAB AUSKICK CLINICS

Kids of all ages can put their skills to the test at NAB AFL Auskick Clinics, run every hour on Wednesday and Thursday. All-Girls and Access All Ability groups will ensure everyone feels comfortable to have a go and kids who participate will have the chance to meet their favourite AFL players. Auskickers can register at aflauskick.com.au from mid-September, and others can sign up at the festival.

AFL ROOKIE PASSPORT

The fun continues at the AFL Kids Zone where there are stacks of activities to keep little ones entertained. Kids can grab their AFL Kids Rookie Passport on entry and tick off the activities as they go to get a personalised AFL footy card.

AFL INFLATABLE OBSTACLE COURSE

The AFL’s biggest-ever inflatable obstacle course (37 meters) will be the highlight at Woolworth’s AFL Playground, where kids can race their friends (or mum and dad) and compete in a time trial. From handball targets and speccys, to hurdling inflatable crocs, this is a fun way for budding footy stars to test their skills.

UberEATS

For the first time, UberEATS will be hosting an exclusive VIP area at the festival for UberEATS customers and their families to enjoy the tasty treats on offer.

In the UberEATS zone, guests will be welcome to enjoy access to the 140-seat restaurant, the Epicure Bar, live DJ, complimentary charging stations, dining space and colouring activities for kids – that means there is something for all footy fans to enjoy.

Festival goers will be able to skip the queue by simply opening the UberEATS app, placing their order in the “Taste of Football” and waiting for their meal to be delivered straight to the collection point in the UberEATS restaurant. Fans can also make multiple orders on the UberEATS app, so if everyone in the family wants something different, you can please them all without queuing – and all at the touch of a button.

GRAND FINAL PARADE

The Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade proudly supported by City of Melbourne from 12pm on Friday 29 September will provide a chance for supporters to see their favourite players who will take to the field on 2017 Toyota Grand Final day. Commencing at the Old Treasury Building and concluding in the Toyota AFL Grand Final Live Site at Yarra Park, you’ll see marching bands, roving entertainment and many more will join the two competing Grand Final teams.

NINTENDO SWITCH

Some of this year’s biggest games, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and ARMS will draw fans to the Gaming Zone, where they can meet Mario and get their hands on the new Nintendo Switch.

AND MUCH MORE…

• Youngsters can capture their own finals footy moment or mid-air speccy with the AFL Kids
• 360 Degree Photobooth at the AFL Kids Dome
• Free mini footballs will be on offer at the AFL Kids Art Play area, along with live art demonstrations and guest appearances from AFL and AFLW players
• Over at the Woolworths Fresh Food Kids Lunch Box, footy stars will cook up a storm with sessions held on the hour between 11am and 2pm.

TASTE OF FOOTBALL  

Some of Melbourne’s top eats are coming together to provide delicious food for all to enjoy – each bringing their token dishes with a twist of an AFL Classic. These include:

• Biggie Smalls

• Doughnut Time

• Taco Truck

• Roadhouse by Fancy Hanks

• Gelato Messina

• Happy Camper Pizza

• Ghost Kitchen

• Jim Beam Citrus Park

• Yak Ales Watering Hole