Acclaimed Australian comedy star George Kapiniaris is bringing his trademark humour and penchant for cultural celebration to Earlwood this weekend.
Mr Kapiniaris has been announced as MC of the Love Earlwood – Meet You at the Plateia Festival on Saturday 20 September from 11am-4pm.
The new FREE Festival will see Earlwood’s town centre in Clarke Street closed off and transformed into a vibrant celebration of all things Mediterranean.
Traditional food, music and family-friendly entertainment will be on offer in honour of the Greek and Italian cultures and residents that have called Earlwood home for generations.
A popular face on Australian stages and screens for more than three decades, Mr Kapiniaris said he was excited to take on the role of Festival MC and looked forward to travelling from his home in Melbourne to Sydney for the festivities.
“I fell in love with an Earlwood girl who I married, and her mum still lives in Earlwood so it’s like a second home to me,” the much-loved star of Acropolis Now, Wogs Out of Work and Housos said.
“My two teenagers and my wife will be there, and it will be a great reunion with our Kapiniaris family members and friends from all over Sydney. I reckon even if I wasn’t asked to be the MC, I would have brought the family down to be a part of it.”
City of Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the Festival would be a fun-filled day out for families and visitors from across NSW.
“This Festival celebrates everything that makes Earlwood special and recognises the strong presence and contributions of our valued Greek and Italian community,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
“I encourage everyone to put Saturday 20 September in their diaries and visit Earlwood to enjoy the festivities and support our local businesses.”
Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that the NSW Government recognises the value of our local events, and that the Earlwood Festival is back where it belongs – at the heart of our community.
“This ongoing funding over the next three years will ensure the festival continues to grow as a much-loved annual event that brings people together and celebrates everything that makes Earlwood special.
“I’ve been campaigning for this for a long time, and it’s a real win for the whole community. I especially want to acknowledge the local residents and community advocates, including Councillor Clare Raffan who’ve worked tirelessly to help bring the festival back.
“We live in the best state in the world, and people deserve to enjoy their neighbourhoods in a cost-friendly, inclusive way whilst also supporting local jobs, boosting small businesses, and bringing our streets to life.
“I can’t wait to see Earlwood transformed into a vibrant, public space where the community can come together and celebrate.”
Love Earlwood – Meet You at the Plateia Festival is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW. Council was successful in receiving $350,000 under the Program to deliver the Festival over the next three years.
For more information and Festival updates, visit: wih.city/LoveEarlwood
