Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival

The Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival was created in 1995 to celebrate rock’n’roll music, and today is one of Australia’s longest-running festivals.

At this family-friendly festival, you will find great music, fantastic fashion, classic cars and motorcycles, dancing, and much more!

It’s been 30 years since Ararat’s first Jailhouse Rock Festival, and this year, the event’s organisers are pulling out all the stops for a weekend of cars, music, dance, food, and rockin’ fun.

The Festival launches at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 14, with the Barkly Street Cruise (with plenty of prizes ready to be won), music from Brendan Britt at Ararat RSL, and a ticketed performance by Slim & the Sparkplugs at Ararat Town Hall.

On Saturday, March 15, the Town Hall will host the ‘Show Us Your Wheels’ car display from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will also feature live music from Cobra 45s and a dance floor from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., cars will cruise to the Great Western Hotel before returning to Ararat Cinema at 3 p.m. for hotdogs and a movie.

Saturday evening, the Town Hall will kick up its heels for the Jailhouse Rock Ball, with live music from Mark Nunis and the Tailfins.

The big day of family fun is Sunday, March 16, Jailhouse Rock Festival Show, held at Ararat Turf Club from 10am to 2pm. There’ll be car, truck, and motorcycle shows; live music hosted by DJ Jeff and Susanne, featuring Mark Nunis and the Tailfins, Double Agents, and Cobra 45s; a full bar, dance floor, and food vans; and entertainment for the kids.

Slim and the Sparkplugs

Slim is a truly vitamised music teacher, songwriter and musician, influenced by rock, country, jazz and rockabilly.

Together with Tim on bass, Eddy on harmonica and Raff on drums they are ready to rock your socks!

Mark Nunis and the Tailfins

Step back in time with Mark Nunis and the Tailfins, a high-energy band that brings the spirit of the 1950s to life. With a repertoire of classic rock hits and jump blues, their electrifying performances will have you dancing, clapping, and toe-tapping all night long.

Led by Mark Nunis, with his piano pumping boogie-woogie style and smooth vocals, the Tailfins are a powerhouse of seasoned talent. They feature the dynamic Jake Schembri on double bass, Shaun Havoc on drums, Zach Nunis’s charismatic vocal stylings, and Morgan Klose’s fiery guitar riffs. This band is the ultimate Rock and Roll Force.