Wallsend preparing for a party 150 years in the making

17 July 2024

Wallsend 150

The past, present and future will be celebrated next month with a family-friendly festival to mark the 150th anniversary of Wallsend being declared a municipality.

City of Newcastle has worked with the local community to create a hallmark event featuring something for all ages including musical and cultural performances, market stalls, rides, children’s activities and storytelling.

The celebration will run from 1pm to 6pm on 17 August with Wallsend Park to host art workshops and food stalls, while most of the action will take place near the historic rotunda and on Nelson Street.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Wallsend’s significant contribution to our region during the past 150 years deserves a major celebration.

“City of Newcastle has worked hard to prepare for this unique milestone with extensive road resurfacing on Nelson Street, as well as a pressure cleaning campaign on the footpaths and around the 136-year-old rotunda,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Wallsend was once a mining colony that once supported around 7500 workers and their families. The local coal was some of the best in Australia and played a major role in the development of Newcastle as a port city.

“Since then the suburb has become a vibrant home to a unique and close-knit community, emerging as a multicultural hub that attracts young families from all over the world.”

Thousands of people are expected to attend the celebration on 17 August, held in a familiar timeslot to the former Winter Fair, with entertainment throughout the afternoon from an impressive line-up of performers on the main stage.

Visitors will be able to step back in time and into a photo booth wearing historical dress, The Creative Co will keep the kids entertained with messy play and a cake smash, and when the sun goes down, Wallsend’s rich history will be projected onto buildings through a collection of digitised photographs.

Cr Nelmes said City of Newcastle is aiming for a vibrant, safe, and accessible event for everyone to enjoy.

“Wallsend is a place of inclusivity and belonging so it’s only fitting the 150th anniversary celebration has the same theme,” Cr Nelmes said.

“First Nations artists will kick off proceedings and then to reflect Wallsend’s multicultural diversity other performers with inspiration from across the world will entertain including samba from Brazil, flamenco from Spain and muqam from China.

“Along with a range of community-led activities and markets there will be something for everyone.”

There will be a range of entertainment and immersive activities on offer, including roving performances, musical acts, interactive craft and play for toddlers, a historical walk, cultural workshops, light and image projections and “UP and UP” art workshops at Wallsend Skate Park.

The lineup on the main stage includes performances by Under Construction Mental Health Community Choir, local singer/songwriter Cherelle, the Blue Sapphire Chinese Dancers, Samba Frog, Deya Flamenco and more to be announced.

For more information visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Wallsend150

This event is supported through the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Program.