THE countdown is on to the biggest event on the Myall Coast calendar, The Myall River Festival in Tea Gardens this Saturday.

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Here’s a guide to what’s happening on Marine Drive in and out of the water.

Families and friends are being encouraged to grab their canoe or kayak or anything that floats and join in the Paddle4Good which kicks off at 10am.

You can register online or on the day, all money raised going to the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club.

On the shore there’ll be plenty of music and entertainment from local schools and bands.

The ever popular Duck Derby is back, with corporate blue ducks and little yellow ones taking to the water at 11am and midday, to raise money for the Tea Gardens Primary School.

Don’t leave your dog at home.

Bring your beloved canine to the festival to take part in the Green Paws Pet Show.

There’s lots of prizes on offer and this year there’s a new category.

“It’s called the Beauty and the Beast Parade,” Sharon Beatson told News Of The Area.

“All dogs are encouraged to enter, old young, pretty and not so pretty, every pooch is welcome.”

Throughout the afternoon there’ll be entertainment on the foreshore and don’t forget the ‘Buy My Wardrobe’ fundraiser in the Dolphin Room of the Tea Gardens Hotel.

There’ll be dozens of stalls including volunteers from Boomerang Bags.

‘’We will be hosting a kids’ colouring in table where for a gold coin donation young people are able to colour and paint on their own ‘kids sized’ Boomerang Bag to take home,” Brooke Feltis said.

“We will have over 100 kids’ bags for the day.”

There is also plenty happening with the Myall Koala & Environment Group (MKEG). Ian Morphett told News Of The Area, “It is hard to believe but this is the eleventh year that the Koala Group has been giving away free koala food trees at the Myall River Festival.”

“This year we have been able to obtain some absolutely beautiful Dwarf Parramatta Red Gums in larger tubes than previous years.”

As well as these trees the MKEG will also have about 200 native plants to give away.

As the sun sets the lantern parade will begin.

The festival will come to a close with a gigantic fireworks display on the river just after 8 o’clock.

By Margie TIERNEY