PATRIOTS will be packing picnics and chilling beers from Muswellbrook to Merewether today ahead of Australia Day celebrations tomorrow across the Hunter.
With zincs lined up and flags at the ready revellers are hoping recent wet weather will abate to allow them to fire up barbecues.
T he Bureau of Meteorology was yesterday predicting a maximum temperature of 24 degrees with rain at times but easing for Thursday.
Highlights around the Hunter will include the National Maritime Festival in Newcastle holding water-based events including a harbour swim to tug boat ballet.
Squadron hornets from the Williamtown RAAF base will turn heads skyward at 3.30pm.
Speers Point Park will be the centre of action in Lake Macquarie where it will be hard for party-goers to decide between dunking the mayor and a GANGgajang and Mental As Anything concert.
At Cessnock there will be a free breakfast at East End Oval from 7am.
Flag raising, pipes and drums, bush poetry and a throng-throwing competition will get the national fervour going at Maitland.
At Raymond Terrace indigenous people will be recognised with a smoking ceremony and things will take a lighter turn in the afternoon with an aluminium-can raft race.
Nelson Bay will come alive at Fly Point Park with a bush poet’s breakfast, parade and oyster opening demonstrations.
Scone’s celebrations will centre on the town square, at Merriwa there’s a free barbecue lunch and Murrurundi will have its own Australia Day Markets.
Muswellbrook’s events include an apple bobbing contest and Singleton has its own Australia Day cricket match.
For those feeling sentimental, local councils will hold citizenship ceremonies.
Police have warned of a zero tolerance approach to revellers misbehaving over the holiday weekend. They will also be out in force on the roads.
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