Dance festival to go annual

Jessica Benton
PORTARLINGTON will play host to an annual old-time dance festival after a successful inaugural event last month.
The Springtime Dance Festival attracted over 100 people to the coastal Bellarine Peninsula town to take part in social ballroom dancing.
Held over three days in September, the festival included a number of dance genres, from old-time and new vogue to modern and Latin.
The weekend event included a Friday night dance, a Saturday night ball, a Sunday lunch and an afternoon dance.
The Independent reported in August that a group of locals were trying to bring old-time dance back to life.
Event organiser Lorraine Andrew said the dance enthusiasts succeeded.
“The group of 10 local residents worked hard since October last year to make this festival a success, so it’s now going to be held again next September,” she said.
“We had people from Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Melbourne, country Victoria and New South Wales, and we’ve already got bookings for next year.”
Mrs Andrew said money raised from future events would be given to a local charity.