WAGGA'S top food, art and culture festival has taken on a new format this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Lost Lanes was cancelled for 2020 earlier in the year due to social distancing regulations, but after much planning and thinking outside the box by Wagga City Council, the winter festival has announced it will still go ahead online.
The council's Visitor Economy and Events Coordinator Fiona Hamilton said, while an unusual concept, they were excited to see the new idea come to life.
"We wanted to show the community that we are thinking about them still, and encourage social interaction while obeying the Public Health Orders," she said.
"We thought this way of holding the festival would be perfect for promoting community connection and positive mental health, while also allowing our local creatives, and food and beverage industries to be appreciated."
Ms Hamilton said the logistics of an online festival would centre around live streaming on Facebook and Instagram, set to take place on June 20.
"It will bring together the best of the festival, which is arts, eats and beats," she said.
"People will be able to, within restriction rules, sit around a fire in their own backyard or in their living room and watch our live stream cooking demos, campfire inspired cocktail recipes, artistic demonstrations and a special surprise on the night."
In other news:
A live DJ will also be streamed with Nina Los Vegas returning to her home turf for the event.
"Nina Los Vegas grew up in Wagga, and now owns her own record label, she was a host on Triple J and has performed at many big scale music festivals like Groovin' the Moo," Ms Hamilton said.
"She has come back to Wagga because of the coronavirus and we managed to get her to play for us on the night from Birdhouse."
Wagga food and drink services will also be promoting their own specials for delivery or pick up, including Knights Deli offering food packs, among others.
"We also have Roundabout Restaurant and Haran's, but are asking any and all local businesses to get in touch and join the festival," Ms Hamilton said.