VodaFest in two weeks

With only two weeks to go, it is time for the visitors to start getting ready for the day. It is also time for those who want to help to start helping. Here is an update for all visitors with the frequently asked questions answered. Please, make sure to also read about how you can support the festival and the community.

What's on program

Throughout the day a number of performances, exhibitions, children activities take place. The program is being finalized as of now, the rough outline follows. For the latest version of the program, visit http://vodafest.org/program

• Art exhibition
  paintings, sculptures, photography, wood carving by Czech and Slovak artists
• Concert
  works of Czech composers by cello, piano, flute and reproduced music
• Presentations
  about Czech and Slovak history, culture, travel industry, and animations for kids
• Literary corner
  reciting poetry and reading fiction from favourite authors and own work
• Children activities
  gingerbread and egg shell decoration, Fairy forrest, banksia cones creations
• Food and beverage tasting
  Czech and Slovak national cuisines, desserts, beer on tap, festival label wine, coffee

How much is it

The entry is $5 per person. For a child to take part in the children activities, the pass is $5 to cover material cost.

Family special is available for families with two adults and up to two children. $20 will cover entry fees and children passes.

Please, make sure to bring cash with you. There are not going to be EFPOS terminals on site. Entry fees, children passes, all goods and services are to be paid in cash. The nearest ATM is in Belgrave.

How to get there

VodaFest takes place in Sumava Peksa Park, 46 Locks Way, Belgrave South 3160 Victoria. It is located about 40 minutes east of Melbourne, 4 km from Belgrave.

A list of available ways of transportation follows, ordered from the most to the least recommended by the VodaFest team.

1. Public transport. Belgrave line train arrives at and departs from Belgrave every 20 minutes throughout the day. Shuttle bus will be connecting selected trains in the morning, going directly to Sumava. In the afternoon, the shuttle bus will go back to the station so that you catch a train. For details, see the visitor information at our website: http://vodafest.org/visitors
2. Community buses. A bus is departing early in the morning from Sokol - Narodni dum in North Melbourne and another from Laverton. This is not arranged by VodaFest. Please, contact your local community for more information on this way of transport.
3. Catch a lift. Please, don't drive to VodaFest alone. Make sure to contact your family members and friends and if you have to drive, use as few vehicles between all of you as possible. Melway reference for Sumava is 84 H5.

Where to park

On-site and on-street parking is limited which is why you should consider other ways of transportation. If you find yourself driving to Belgrave South, though, there's a few options you should consider. Again, ordered from the most to the least recommended by VodaFest team:

1. Staff parking. This is the most convenient way of all-day parking at VodaFest. All you have to do is contact us and become a volunteer at VodaFest. If you're happy to offer a few hours of your time on the day towards the festival organization and you are willing to arrive before 11am and leave after 6pm, contact us. Don't forget, though, don't drive alone and bring more volunteers with you.
2. Early-bird parking. Ideal for families and groups of friends who want to spend the whole day out, meeting people and enjoying themselves. You must arrive before 11am and leave after 6pm to secure a parking spot directly in Sumava.
3. Disabled parking. Please, note, disabled parking will be available only to vehicles with disabled person's parking card displayed. Elderly persons and expectant women arriving after 11am will be asked to use on-street parking, but will be given a lift to Sumava from the corner of Temple Rd and Locks Way.
4. On-street parking. If you will be arriving after 11am, please, do not turn to Locks Way. You will be asked to go back. Limited on-street parking will be available from Temple Road roundabout all the way to the corner with Locks Way and further up. Please, note Locks Way is about 5 minutes unsealed road walk, wear suitable footwear.

What to bring

• Cash. There are not going to be EFPOS terminals on site, neither there is an ATM anywhere close to Sumava. All payments must be made in cash. We'll try to make sure to have enough change, though.
• Sun protection. As is usual in Australia, make sure to protect yourself from the sun and bring sun screen, hats and long sleeves.
• Rugs and chairs. Sitting will be provided throughout the festival site. We hope for a good weather, though, and nothing is better than to grab a good meal and have it on the grass.
• Medications. St. John ambulance will be on site and ready in case of an accident or illness. VodaFest is a whole day event and if you're taking any prescription drugs, please, take them with you.
• Nappies. Baby changing room will be available at VodaFest.
• Anything Czech and Slovak. If you have anything that could spark interest of Czech and Slovak community members, please, bring it and share it with us. Whether it is a flag, or a children's book, or a map, just don't forget it at home.

Support us

We kindly request your cooperation in spreading the word and seeking support. This is the first event of hopefully annual traditional festival, and we are going to need help from you, fellow Czechs and Slovaks. Please, spread the word, let know your families and friends and join us at the festival. Please, also resend this e-mail to everybody you believe could be interested in the news in the Czech and Slovak community. Please, share our website link on Facebook and Twitter.

The festival is organized and conducted only by volunteers and is funded solely from donations. We seek support from individuals as well as businesses owned by or run for community members. We expect 300 visitors on the day, all interested in Central Europe, which constitutes a great target audience for your business presentation. Financial and material help is very much apreciated, as well as offers of volunteering. Please, call 0418 388 689 or send a message to info@vodafest.org. Thank you!

Follow us

To hear about the festival in your language, please tune in SBS Radio on Sunday, 31/10/2010 from 9pm in Czech language and from 10pm in Slovak language. Frequencies in Melbourne are 93.1FM and 1224AM. For frequencies in your area, visit SBS Radio website at http://www.sbs.com.au/radio/article/551/AM/FM-Frequencies

Please, visit our website at http://vodafest.org It is the main source of information for the festival visitors.

Our Facebook page is available at http://www.facebook.com/pages/VodaFest-Czech-and-Slovak-Festival-2010/119415061446260

You can also follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VodaFest

Meet us

For a face to face contact with the festival planners and volunteers, please, join us at Lucnica performance on Friday, 29/10/2010 in St. Kilda National Theatre. We'll be handing out flyers after the show. Come, grab a flyer for your friends and chat with us.

On Monday night, 01/10/2010, Halloween party takes place in Koliba Czech and Slovak Restaurant in Collingwood. Please, join us for a $20 goulash and beer, $5 beer and $5 slivovitz all night! Wear a costume and you can win a prize!

Friends! With only two weeks to go, please, do not hesitate to contact us with questions and offers of cooperation.

Thank you all and see you soon!