When Prince William of Wales marries Catherine Middelton, Sidney’s set to celebrate.
On Friday, backed by the Sidney streetscape in front of the town clock, adjacent to the Sidney Museum, town crier Kenny Podmore announced Royal Wedding Week. The week-long celebration was proclaimed by Sidney town council.
“Sidney is not able to declare a public holiday in honour of the wedding, however, we know how to throw a party and are absolutely delighted that we can hold this celebration which will give everyone a chance to enjoy the big day,” said mayor Larry Cross.
The Town of Sidney jumped on the idea originally presented by Podmore, also a town councillor, as the Brit set out to party for the royal celebration.
“It’s a part of our heritage. It’s our queen’s family and we are a member of the Commonwealth,” Cross said. “We thought this was just something we had to celebrate.”
“I’m a Brit. I love celebrations, and Sidney’s renowned for its celebrations, and so I approached Mayor Larry Cross,” Podmore explained. He started organizing events that include a wedding eve dinner at the Shoal Centre and a sold-out royal wedding breakfast on April 29 at the Mary Winspear Centre where the nuptials (held at Westminster Abbey around 3 a.m. our time) will be rebroadcast.
The preparations caught the attention of Tourism Victoria who called up the town councillor. “They heard about this and to their knowledge we are the first community to declare this celebration,” Podmore said.
Podmore encourages Sidney businesses to decorate in a royal red, white and blue theme in honour of the nuptials.
“We’re just encouraging everybody to have some fun and get dressed up and make it a great occasion,” Podmore said.