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By Mark Brassel

A cavalcade of activities has been scheduled on the Sapphire Coast for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, with next Sunday’s Jazz Festival Raceday one of the highlights.

The Jazz Festival in the south coast town of Merimbula, kicks off with a street parade on Saturday morning followed by a StreetFest and markets.

Saturday night is the annual Merimbula Lakeside Lantern Walk then it's Sapphire Coast Turf Club’s turn to shine on Sunday with their popular raceday.

There'll be some great racing action at Sapphire Coast next Sunday. Image by Bradley Photographers

“It should be a fun day with our theme ‘Masquerade Ball’,” said SCTC’s Sponsorship & Marketing Manager, Jess O’Donnell.

“We will have a seven-race TAB meeting with free buses to and from the track, a free jumping castle for the kids and free entry for under 18s.”

Feature races are the $22,000 Merimbula Jazz Cup (1600m) and the $22,000 Jazz Festival Sprint (1200m).

“The track is looking fantastic and it's set to be a terrific day of racing at a beautiful country racecourse.

“The day is proudly sponsored by Eve O’Brien Properties, Carpet Court Pambula, Sapphire Coast Buslines, Schute Bell Badgery Lumby & Monaro Wool and Merimbula Health and Fitness.

“And we’re also raffling off the signage space for a year’s advertising above our winning post. Tickets are $100 with only 100 sold and the winner will be drawn on 1st July.

“Just go to our website for more details – sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au”

Meanwhile, winter racing kicks off for Ballina Jockey Club when they celebrate the Queen’s Birthday long weekend with a seven-race card next Monday.

“Being a Public Holiday Monday, we’re expecting a sizeable crowd with some great local racing as well as all the action from Royal Randwick and other interstate meetings,” said BJC’s General Manager, Matthew Bertram.

“We will have full café and bar facilities in operation and for those further away, there are Ballina/Byron Airport flights to and from Sydney and Melbourne daily.

“And sponsorship and hospitality packages are available through the Club on (02) 6686 0333.”

The annual Parkes picnic races kick off the long weekend on Saturday and for many locals and visitors, it is the highlight of their social calendar

“There'll be plenty of trackside entertainment with a five-race program including the Coradgery Cup sponsored by McDonalds Parkes, Forbes and Young,” said the Race Club’s Mark Ross.

“We have full TAB and betting facilities, canteen and bar services, a coffee van, live entertainment by Trundle band Geroholom Johnson and the popular Fashions on the Field.

“Entry is free for under 16s, with adult general admission tickets $20 that can be purchased at the gate on the day with gates opening at 11:30am.”

There’s more info at – parkespicnicraces.com.au