February 15th, 2022ChillOut on its way

IT’S just weeks until the community celebrates 25 years of ChillOut.
Festival director Em Ireland said this year’s theme was Our time to shine, “so get your shiny wardrobe ready for some well-deserved celebrations”.
“ChillOut’s 2022 silver jubilee is about connectedness of community to celebrate unity and feel the sun on our faces, experience laughter, dancing and survival in Covid-safe environments. It’s our time to shine and feel a collective lust for life. We can’t wait to create this environment and experience for everyone in March this year and for years to come. There are heaps of free events for everyone too.”
Ms Ireland said tickets were selling fast for the main events: the opening night, Daddy and Ballroom Blitz.
Other featured events include the Bush Dance, Radius Gallery exhibition (featuring portraits of many locals from the LGBTQIA community), Hepburn all-ages Sound Shell (run by the Daylesford College Pride Bri-GAY-de) with fashion parade, Homophonic symphony, and Q&A panels for the young and old.
Ms Ireland said street parade entries were open online and Carnivale at Victoria Park was back with new additions including a Glitterati hair and makeup tent, Try-hard-athalon sporting games and the Best in Show fur-babies event.
ChillOut artists range from Eurovision’s KEiiNO (Norway), Kylie Auldist and Devil Goat Family String Band to DJ DuJour, Leather Lungs and Art Simone (as seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race). Ambassadors are Nate Byrne (ABC weatherman), Molly Meldrum, Ro Allen (Commissioner for Equality), Dolly Diamond, Frock Hudson, Sexy Galexy and Freddie Merkin.
There is a shuttle bus running around town from Friday to Monday, some special bus services from Melbourne and return, and the ChillOut Hub for information, tickets, bus passes, volunteer registration and merchandise. The hub is next to the Daylesford Post Office.
“Get involved, come have a dance and support your local artists and community whilst we all share our time to shine at ChillOut’s 2022 silver jubilee.”
www.chilloutfestival.com.au
Pictured, Sheldon Riley (Eurovision – Australia Decides) will be performing on Sunday, March 13 at the Vic Park Carnivale