Ready, set, rock ‘n roll! Classic Yass swings the rockabilly beat

CLASSIC YASS: Get your 1950s dancing shoes on and enjoy a classic rockabilly and swing at this year’s Classic Yass event in Banjo Paterson Park, Historic Cliftonwood and along the riverbank.

The festival will feature about 300 classic and vintage style motor cars from the early 1900s through to the 1970s, for its 10th year of bringing a glimpse of the “good ol’ days” into the 21st century. 

Patrons are encouraged to dress up in period costume and enjoy the range of 1950s, 1960s and 1970s music and dance performances scheduled throughout the weekend.

The popular drawcard event Billy Cart Derby will take place in Rossi Street from 8.30am (scrutineering) and 9.30am (time trials) on Saturday.

Yass Antique Motor Club spokeswoman Glenda Snape told Scoop the festival was taking on a musical theme this year, with a plethora of acts guaranteed to entertain the masses.

Included in the line up are the sensational eight-piece band from Sydney, “The Hips” who will be playing music in the park throughout the day. For those who might remember,  Rockpile Jones and Paul McCann from “Ol’ 55” fame will be back playing again.

ACT band “Queen B and the Archers”with vocalist Bridget Croft and New Zealand punk/metal guitarist Phil Gemmell will bring along their passion for blues and rockabilly riffs at Riverbank Park.

Dance lessons in Swing will keep patrons on their toes on Saturday afternoon, and later in the evening, the old-school theme continues with a “Happy Days” dance at the Soldiers Club with Rusty and Ginger. 

The Swing Cats will also be doing a demonstration and the girls from the Roller Derby will be showcasing their prowess too.

Historic Cliftonwood will be open to the public via gold coin donation, with Yass Antique Farm Machinery Club Inc. and heavy horse demonstrations on Sunday between 10am and 2pm.  

These will include harnessing, a vintage ploughing demonstration, plaiting demo and early farming displays.

The Yass Memorial Hall will have on display vintage paraphernalia and the CWA Hall will house 1950s outfits for sale.

Prizes are on offer for those who win “best dressed” competitions in women’s, men’s and children’s categories.

“The Yass Antique Motor Club extends an invitation to all Classic Car Enthusiasts to make this a weekend away in the wonderful Yass Valley,” organisers said.

Cars featured will include original and period modified vehicles built before 1980, historic racing cars, motor cycles, commercial vehicles, the historic NRMA fleet and old school hotrods.

The program distributed at the time of publication:

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