Art, a brewery, small-town hospitality – there’s an endless list of reasons to visit NSW’s up and coming regional city of Goulburn, but none more powerful than Bond, James Bond.
The man of mystery himself is hopping on a plane and heading to the city to be part of the inaugural SPYfest – a celebration of all things espionage – taking place on 25 and 26 September.
The city-wide festival will feature spy and crime movies, books, music, cars and several special guests including 007.
There’s been like 13 Bonds since Sean Connery stepped into his designer suit back in 1962, so which one will be in Goulburn later this month?
It’s Connery’s successor George Lazenby who was not only born and raised in Goulburn but also the inspiration behind the inaugural event.
Fans of the movie franchise will have the chance to see the second Bond in person as well as meet and greet him during autograph signings.
In addition to scoring the man recognised for having the ‘best entry of the long-running James Bond series’, SPYfest celebrations will also feature spy and tech demonstrations, a parade, an author’s forum and city-wide game of ‘iSPY’.
Goulburn will be transformed into Spy central.
Goulburn will be transformed into Spy central for the celebrations with local businesses going undercover and renaming their shop fronts. A Dentist may be renamed ‘Licensed to Drill,’ the jeweler ‘Gold Blinger’ and the carpet shop ‘The Spy Who Shag-piled Me’ to name a few.
How cool!
A performance of talent at Music to SPY By on Friday evening will be a night of top secret interpretations, featuring songs of adventure, crime and excitement.
Saturday morning will welcome the SPYfest Street Parade of spy style and super slick cars, complete with Bond girls and music.
After the Official Opening at Belmore Park there will be SPY and Buy markets with high-tech gadgets (and we know how to use them) on display, as well as eight of Australia’s top Karate masters showing off their skills.
Several popular crime, mystery and thriller authors will participate in an Authors Forum on Saturday afternoon. Writers in attendance will include Goulburn raised Greg Barron, suspense crafter Rachel Amphlett, ex-military man Chris Allen, novel debutant Scott Baker and both Derek Emerson-Elliot and Lynette Silver.
Saturday night will also host a Shagadelic Disco to dance the night away with groovy tunes inspired by Austin Powers.
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