Entertainment

Cobram Barooga Easter River Beaches Festival returns

By Gabriel Garcia

Mar 27, 2024

It’s back: People watch on as the ducks float around the bend to the finish line at the Cobram Barooga Easter River Beaches Festival. Photo by Lachlan Durling

It’s a staple of Cobram autumn life, and the Easter River Beaches Festival returns on Sunday, March 31.

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The free public event on Thompsons Beach has been going for more than 10 years, and Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism president Nicky Goldsworthy said it was incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike.

The 2024 festival will include food vans, a sand castle-making competition, jumping castles, an Easter egg hunt, face painting and Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue, which will have a presentation showcasing its work.

No festival is complete without live entertainment, and the 2024 festivities will include music by local band The Skerricks.

However, the highlight of the festival will be the traditional duck race held at 3pm.

The event comprises numbered rubber ducks being thrown from the old Cobram Barooga Bridge before they float down the Murray River to the finish line.

Festival-goers can purchase a numbered duck, with prizes for those lucky enough to choose a winner.

Duck tickets will be sold on the day or can be purchased at the Cobram Lions Market on Easter Saturday, Noonans Jewellers, RACV Resort, Barooga Sporties and the Beach Cafe.

Ms Goldsworthy said many people who purchased a duck for the race often went with their favourite number.

She said she hoped for a big crowd to enjoy wholesome entertainment for the whole family.

“It’s a good family fun day and a chance to get together,” she said.