The Step Back into King Street Heritage Festival will return for a fourth year, offering residents and visitors to Raymond Terrace a chance to experience the historic street as it was in its heyday – the 1800 and 1900s.

“It’s unique. This kind of festival doesn’t happen anywhere else,” festival organiser Kaye Newton said.

“You hear people talking and laughing, see kids and older people playing traditional games. It [festival] really does bring a smile to people’s faces.”

The festival, made possible through Port Stephens Council’s cultural grants fund and sponsorship, pays homage to the history and heritage of Raymond Terrace.

King Street was the original main street and CBD of Raymond Terrace from 1840 until the 1955 flood.

The street still features a number of historic buildings, including some dating back to the 1890’s. 

The historic Marriage Trees used to wed people in the absence of churches prior to 1840 still stand in King Street.

In past years, couples have wed and renewed their vows under the Marriage Trees as part of the festival.

Laura and Chris Evans were married under the trees during the first festival in 2015. Jo and Steve Pinter renewed their vows in 2016. There will be no wedding or vow renewal ceremony this year.

For the past two years the King Street Preservation and Action Group, of which Ms Newton is chairwoman, has worked to raise awareness about the street’s historical significance.

To festival helps the group achieve their goal by getting the community involved in the street’s history and heritage.

Annually, the festival attracts about 1000 people.

King Street is closed to cars between 9am and 4pm on the day and the festival, free to attend, will be held from 10am to 3pm.

Volunteers, shop keepers, special guests and vendors dress up in historical clothing, and traditional games such as marbles, draughts, ring toss and knucklebones are available to play.

New games such as splat a rat and flip a frog have been added to the offerings this year.

The festival will feature a town crier and a Penny-farthing, the opportunity to write using feather quills, a vintage photography setting and a WWI living history activity.

This year, there will be three competitions running throughout the day: majestic beard, best hat or bonnet and best vintage dressed child. Each competition has been sponsored by MarketPlace Raymond Terrace.

There will be plenty of entertainment on the day with the Irrawang High School Drum Corps to perform as well as the Black Jock Morris Dancers, Irish dancers, Hope Community Choir, Wallalong Boys (Celtic music) and the Hunter School for Performing Arts marching show band.

For a second year, the owners of the Richardson and Scully building in King Street, formerly the Newcastle University Aquatic Centre, will open its doors to the public during the fesitval.

The historic building, which is the last river-facing building remaining from King Street’s heyday, was sold by Port Stephens Council to Warren and Fiona Lawrence in 2016.

The couple plan to turn the long neglected building into a into a restaurant and function centre. The Lawrence’s plans for the building will also be available to view during the festival.