The Gatsby craze isn’t over yet, folks! And we’re not complaining. How fun is this?!? With the Roaring 20s Festival about to commence in Australia’s first tourist destination, our friends down under are prepping to kick up their heels for a fabulous party. We just might have to bump up our #VoyagetoOz to February!

If you’re like us, and have ever wished you could jump into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous 1920s novel, if even for a day, check this out…

The Roaring 20s Festival and all that Jazz will be held throughout the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region from February 1 to 23, 2014 beginning with the Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge in Leura Mall.

The challenge on Saturday, February 1, aims to set a new Guinness World Record for the greatest number of costumed people to dance the Charleston (they set the record with 276 in 2013 –and are hoping to make it 300 in 2014).

After dancing their way into history, revelers can retire to the white linen-covered tables under a marquee to indulge in a picnic hamper of locally made and sourced fare during the Long Lunch in Leura.

The first day of the festival will culminate in the oh-so-posh Art Deco Ball at the Carrington Hotel at Katoomba, celebrating their 130^th anniversary. The celebration of decadence, architecture and jazz music will continue with a dizzying round of costumed balls and high teas, historical walks, fashion parades, dancing and jazz music throughout the month, such as:

•  1920s-themed transport rallies such as the Highlands Steam & Vintage Fair at Oberon and Trains, Trams & Model Ts at Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum;
• film nights; garden tours; murder mysteries; radio plays; and vintage sports; and
• Jenolan Caves will commemorate the 1927 royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of York with an historic Chifley Cave tour, a Roaring 20s Glamour & Gowns Ball at Lithgow and a Boom and Bust Museum Tour and Garden Party at Eskbank House at Lithgow.

“I love the fashion of the 1920s: women were given the freedom to get rid of the corsets from their wardrobe, flatten down their breasts and wear comfortable straight dresses,” said festival producer Sandy Luxford. “I also love the vintage cars with their stunning brass details, wonderful wooden bows which hold the roof up and their great sense of style.” We agree with you, Sandy!

“I love the outrageousness of the Charleston, the sensuous Tango and the cheeky Black Bottom dance,” said assistant producer, Angela Corkeron.

[quote]The 1920s was a time to celebrate – the drudgery of World War I was gone, people were happy and kicked up their heels to show it. Everything was almost a dare: the fashion, the makeup, the short hair, shorter skirt lengths and of course the dancing and music. – Angela Corkeron.[/quote]

As well as ambassador Charlotte Smith of the Darnell Collection of International Vintage Couture, popular TV presenter Claudia Chan Shaw is the patron for the 2014 Roaring 20s Festival.

“This was the era where people dressed up and wore fabulous clothes,” she said.

It didn’t matter what shape you were or if you were beautiful, it was all about style. Everyone had immaculate hair and the clothing was angular and almost shapeless but accessorized by fabulous and frivolous headpieces and jewellery.

Ms Chan Shaw said she related well to the era because 1920s fashion mirrored much of her own wardrobe. In fact, some of Claudia’s favourite pieces are from the 1920s-inspired range designed by her mother, well known fashion designer Vivien Chan Shaw, in the 1980s.

Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism chairman Randall Walker urged festival goers to “spoil yourself with a short stay and become fully immersed in the halcyon era of extravagance.” The 1920s was when the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region really came into its own and revelled in its glory as the nation’s premier tourist destination.

Some of Australia’s finest mansions and grand hotels like The Carrington, the Mountain Heritage, Palais Royale and Caves House at Jenolan Caves were well established and others like The Paragon, Australia’s oldest cafe, were opening in such fabulous style that the area was renowned as a decadent playground for the super rich.

You can still catch a glimpse of that indulgent world today in many of the buildings, and we certainly hope to recapture some of that post-war magic through this wonderful festival.

This is one event that just looks like too much fun… in the BEST way!

Registrations are now open for the Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge and bookings are welcome at other events. Go to www.roaring20s.com.au for a full program of Roaring 20’s Festival and all that Jazz! events, to register for the Blue Mountains Charleston Challenge and for information about accommodation packages and special offers available.

** And to all of our Aussie friends, happy early Australia Day! **