Mark Duckworth is expecting more than 900 classic cars at 2024 Cooly Rocks On
Retro fans are dusting off their rockabilly dresses and polishing their classic cars as tickets for the annual Cooly Rocks On go on sale.
Gold Coast
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Retro fans are dusting off their rockabilly dresses and polishing their classic cars as tickets for the annual Cooly Rocks On go on sale.
The five-day festival along the Coolangatta beachfront will be held from June 5 to 9.
While many of its attractions are free, those hoping to watch “one of the best” Elvis tribute artists or to parade their car at the Show ’n’ Shine show and more, will need to buy a ticket.
Festival director Mark Duckworth said they were expecting this year’s event to showcase more than 900 classic cars manufactured prior to and including 1979.
“Aussies have a wonderful connection to the music and culture of yesteryear,” he said.
“Holden cars, rock ’n’ roll and trips to the beach remain some of the fondest memories of decades gone by.”
Applications for the 2024 Cooly Rocks On Pin-Up Pageant are also open, with Talulah Doughty — also known as Miss Lulu — excited to make a return to the competition.
Ms Doughty said she “lives and breathes” the rockabilly era, dressing in 1940s to 1950s clothing every day: “Cooly Rocks On has given me the opportunity to make connections with like-minded people.”
Ms Doughty said she gets fashion inspiration from a variety of places, from a shirt made by her mum to the perfect jacket found at an op shop.
“Last year at Cooly Rocks On I found an amazing ’50s swimsuit and dress in an op shop,” she said.
Ms Doughty said she had experienced a lot of judgement for dressing in vintage clothing, with many people assuming she was a stereotypical 1950s or 1960s woman in other ways.
“I think of myself as a strong person who is very independent and just happens to love the fashion of decades gone by,” she said.
“I don’t agree with a lot of the values associated with that era. It is often said within the community ‘vintage vibes, not vintage values’.”
To book for one of the ticketed events go to coolyrockson.com/ticketed-experiences
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