All things old will be new again when the Step Back Into King Street Heritage Festival returns for the fifth year on May 18.
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The festival encourages its attendees to dress up in vintage clothes, take part in traditional games, learn about and enjoy the historical value of Raymond Terrace's King Street in a day of fun and entertainment.
"It was started to raise awareness about King Street and it definitely does that," Kaye Newton, an organiser of the festival, said.
"It brings people that have no idea that this part of the town exists here."
The festival offers residents and visitors to Raymond Terrace a chance to experience the historic street as it was in its heyday - the 1800 and 1900s.
King Street was the original main street and CBD of Raymond Terrace up until the 1955 flood.
The street still features a number of historic buildings, including some dating back to the 1890s.
For the past three years the King Street Preservation and Action Group has worked to raise awareness about its historical significance.
The annual festival, supported with a cultural grant from Port Stephens Council and sponsors such as Raymond Terrace Bowling Club and MarketPlace, is one way the group raises awareness.
During the festival, King Street is closed to traffic.
Between 10am and 3pm visitors can enjoy walking around the street, visit stalls, take part in games, see live entertainment and demonstrations and even take part best dressed competitions.
There will be competitions for the best dressed man, woman and child. There will also be a prize for the best hat or bonnet worn on the day.
"We'd love to see more people dressed up this year," Ms Newton said. "It adds a lot more to the festival when you see people dressed up, and it's a lot of fun."
A new feature to the festival this year will be a chance to have antiques values.
Evaluators from the Raymond Terrace-based 2nd Time Around will provide their services between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
"If there is something your grandparents gave you and you would like to have it valued, bring it with you on the day," Ms Newton said.
"If it's a large item, bring some good photos of it."
Some festival favourites from last year including the dress-up photo booth and Penny Farthing demonstrations will return this year.
Community groups including Raymond Terrace Scouts, Lions, Rotary, the Boomerang Park Action Group, Salvation Army Hope Community Choir, Irrawang High School Drum Corps. the Wandering Wallalong Boys (Irish dancers), Raymond Terrace Men's Shed, senior citizens and for the first time this year, the All Saint's Anglican Church.
The festival features a town crier, who this year will be Ben Tranter, and a poetry and storyteller, provided by Cill Van Der Velden.
King Street Preservation and Action Group is seeking volunteers to help on the day. Anyone interested is asked to get in touch through the group's Facebook page or email kayenewton@bigpond.com.
2019 Festival Program
10am-3pm: Penny Farthing Demonstrations
10am-10.55am: Raymond Terrace Men's Shed Band
10.30am-1.30pm: Town Crier - Ben Tranter
11am: Welcome to Country
11.10am-11.40am: Irrawang High School Drum Corps
11.45am-12.15pm: Hope Community Choir
11.400am-2pm: Wandering Wallalong Boys - Irish music
12.20pm-12.40pm: Voyage of Irish Dance
12.30pm-2.30pm: Antiques Valued
12.40pm: MarketPlace Best Hat or Bonnet Parade, MarketPlace Best Vintage Dressed Adult
12.45pm: MarketPlace Best Vintage Dressed Child
12.50pm: Colouring Competition Winners Awarded
1pm-1.30pm and 2.15pm-2.45pm: Cill Van Der Velden - Original Storyteller, Poetry
1.30pm-2pm: Dance Extreme Jazz Dance
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