Adelaide gears up for biggest Australia Day in the City celebration in Elder Park

PEOPLE young and old will wave their Aussie flags as they celebrate what it means to be Australian at the 13th annual Australia Day in the City.

Youngsters ready to celebrate in Elder Park with Australia Day Council of SA executive officer Morrison Bennett. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

PEOPLE young and old will wave their Aussie flags at the Australia Day celebrations in Elder Park.

The event, dubbed Australia Day in the City, starts with a parade featuring more than 150 community groups, followed by a concert and fireworks display.

“Australia Day is our most important national holiday and one in which the community comes

together to celebrate all the positives in our contemporary society,” Australia Day Council of SA executive officer Matt Miles says.

“There will be more than 80 locally-based community events held on Australia Day, with every council in SA holding at least one event for their community.”

The Australia Day in the City parade will begin in Victoria Square and make its way to Elder Park where singer Samantha Jade and pop/rock band Masketta Fall will take to the stage.

While indulging in the food and drink stalls on offer, visitors will also get to watch the army conduct the 21 gun salute in conjunction with an F/A-18 Hornet fly-past.

Miles, who has been organising the event for nine years, says he always looks forward to seeing people having a good time and celebrating their country.

“There is no doubt that the strength of Australia Day is its local celebrations,” he says.

“For me, I really enjoy seeing families and friends gathering to enjoy the festivities ... the fireworks are always spectacular too.”

The celebration is expected to attract up to 40,000 people.

Australia Day in the City, Elder Park, Tuesday, January 26, 6pm-9.45pm. Free entry. Details: australiadayinthecity.com.au

Originally published as Adelaide gears up for biggest Australia Day in the City celebration in Elder Park