Australia Day 2012 Parramatta Park

1100 Dig Concert

Returns to the ampitheatre at the Cresent!

An uplifting free concert under the stars proudly sponsored by Dial Before You Dig.

As the sun sets, the evening celebrations will open with the Dig 1100 Concert, from 6pm to 9pm, with an entertainment line-up that will keep you toe-tapping well into the night. Don’t miss must-see performances by the headline acts of the evening, Aussie rock group Thirsty Merc and Tim Freedman from The Whitlams, supporting them is Aussie songstress Zoë Badwi. For the kid's, get ready for an Ice Age encounter with the wacky, loveable goofball Sid and the nutty as ever Scrat.

Don't miss your chance to meet Sid and Scrat at 7pm. Don't forget your camera!

Celebrations will conclude with a spectacular Australia Day fireworks finale at 9pm, presented by Endeavour Energy.

Fireworks viewing points

No matter where you are in Parramatta at 9pm, just look up at the sky and the fireworks display will be across the city skyline. Have a cracker of a night!

The Dig 1100 Concert will live stream at mobile.ausdayparramatta.com.au on all smart phones. Check it out!

Remember Australia Day at Parramatta Park is strictly a NO GLASS event.

Plan your day ahead and get to the Parramatta Australia Day free Dig 1100 Concert early to avoid disappointment, as once the event is at full capacity, for safety reasons, you will not be able to gain entry.

Thirsty Merc

The home grown four pice are gradually revealing more and more of their freakish musicianship. Now with 250,000 albums sold, more than 300 live shows under their belt, 4 ARIA Award nominations, and a nomination for APRA's Song of the Year Award, Thirsty Merc have earned their stripes! Don’t miss our favourite hits 'In The Summertime', '20 Good Reasons', 'Someday Someday', 'Mousetrap Heart', and their latest international hit 'Tommy and Krista'.

Tim Freedman & the Idle

Tim Freedman is back with his first album in five years, 'Australian Idle'. Tim is giving The Whitlams a little rest after playing their 'Best of' with every state orchestra around the country.

Free of all expectations, Freedman has recorded an unbashedly joyful 70's piano pop album. From Elton John to 10CC and back to The Beach Boys., his influences are on his sleeve.

Tim Freedman and the Idle will be playing songs off this new album and for Australia Day will also throw in some Whitlams classics.

Ice Age 'SID & SCRAT SHOW'

Get ready for an Ice Age encounter with the wacky, loveable goofball Sid and the nutty as ever Scrat. Don’t miss your chance to meet Sid and Scrat at 7pm. Don’t forget your camera!

Tommy Dean

Master of Ceremonies Arizona-raised, now resident in Sydney for 16 years, American stand-up star Tommy Dean occupies the top echelons of Australia’s headline comedy artists. Tommy’s impressive media appearance CV includes Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, Stand Up Australia, Rove Live, Joker Poker, Sunrise, The Today Show and The Sideshow.

Zoë Badwi

If you’ve stepped foot on the dance floor over the past couple of years, then you’re sure to be well acquainted with the name Zoë Badwi by now.

The Melbourne-born dance/pop diva has proven her place at the top of the dance scene with singles 'Freefallin', 'Release Me' and newly released top 20 ARIA single 'Accidents Happen', closely followed by Zoë's current single 'Carry Me Home'.

Fireworks

Once the Dig 1100 Concert has finished, a fireworks show will commence from 9pm to 9.10pm.

Fireworks Pet Safety

As many pet owners know, fireworks can cause a great deal of stress for some animals. Below are a number of safety tips you can follow on the night, including:

• Allow outdoor pets to stay inside with you (laundry or garage is also fine);
• Provide a safe ‘escape’ place, such as a crate;
• Cover your birds’ aviary;
• Don’t leave your animals tied up;
• Remove anything your pet could hurt itself on;
• Provide plenty of fresh water;
• Take your pet on a walk first, so that it will be fatigued and has had time to ‘go to the restroom’ before the fireworks start;
• Distract your pet. Play music to disguise the noise of the fireworks;
• Provide dogs with a big juicy bone