It’s been 30 years since Ararat’s first ever Jailhouse Rock Festival, and this year the event’s organisers are pulling out all the stops for a weekend of cars, music, dance, food and rockin' fun.

The Festival launches at 7pm on Friday 14 March with the Barkly Street Cruise (with plenty of prizes ready to be won), along with music from Brendan Britt at Ararat RSL and a ticketed performance by Slim & the Sparkplugs at Ararat Town Hall – book your spot! 

On Saturday 15 March the Town Hall will host the ‘Show Us Your Wheels’ car display from 9am – 1pm, also featuring live music from Cobra 45s and a dance floor from 10am – 1.30pm.

At 1.30pm, cars will cruise to the Great Western Hotel, before returning to Ararat Cinema at 3pm for hotdogs and a movie.

Saturday evening will see the Town Hall kick up its heels for the Jailhouse Rock Ball, with live music from Mark Nunis and the Tailfins – tickets are available online. 

The big day of family fun is the Sunday 16 March Jailhouse Rock Festival Show, held at Ararat Turf Club from 10am – 2pm. There’ll be car, truck and motorcycle shows; live music hosted by DJ Jeff and Susanne, featuring Mark Nunis and the Tailfins, Double Agents, and Cobra 45s; a full bar, dance floor and food vans; and entertainment for the kids. 

Tickets will be available at the gate (cash or EFTPOS) at very reasonable prices: $25 for a family, $10 per adult, and $5 for kids aged 12 – 18. Kids under 12 are free. 

“From the Friday night cruise to Sunday's huge show and family day at the Turf Club, there's something for everyone to enjoy across the Jailhouse Rock Festival weekend,” says Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong.

For more information, head to the event’s official Facebook page @jailhouserockfestival or call 0493 676 756.