Don’t miss Australia’s biggest family fishing classic at the top of the Whitsundays along Bowen’s Front Beach. Join in the fishing and the fun at the famous Bowen Family Fishing Classic and Wet Weekend - to be held this year on September 21-22.

The Classic is more than fishing – the free entertainment of the year will be enjoyed by the whole family throughout the weekend with the XXXX Beach Party on Saturday afternoon from 1.30pm following the Blessing of The Fishermen. The Show kicks off with local performer Judah Kelly, then there is plenty of kids entertainment and local band Bad Habits takes us into the evening’s main acts with NQ Scots Stage Show and the Grand View Hotel Fireworks.

Australia’s most dynamic performer and female country artist Beccy Cole will take to the stage at 8.30pm, and Brisbane Band Electrik Lemonade round the show off on Saturday night.

Sunday has Breakkie With The Stars, and local band JAM and the Brad Geiger Duo take to the stage to keep us all rockin’, along with NQ Scots-Celtic Fyre.

This is all interspersed with a huge range of activities from beach soccer, to the famous pie eating contest, sand castle building, the crazy lolly drop, crawchie races, bush and beach craft for the kids, Fling-a-Fish comp, casting competition, Dash for Cash, a Zumba display and a lawn bowls demo and competition. There will be heaps of rides for the young at heart, as well as games, displays, food and two bars and a kids chill out zone with giant inflatable screen from PCYC.

Entry/nominations are available from tackle stores or check out the website for the full list of outlets or you can enter on line at www.bowenfamilyfishingclassic.com.

Senior entry is $25, junior entry is $15 and the senior lucky nomination prize boat is the 4.8 BlueFin Barracuda side console with a great list of features and powered by the economical and quiet 75hp Honda 4-Stroke with 5 year warranty. This ultimate boating package also boasts a Humminbird 597cxi HD DI colour combo fishfinder/GPS and the whole rig is set up on an Oceanic Trailer and is worth $35,500. The junior lucky nomination prize boat is a 3.4m BlueFin Critter. This heavy duty dinghy is powered by the economical 2.3hp Honda 4-Stroke and is worth $6,400. Both these packages are fitted up by Tropical Trailerboats.

You will enjoy two weigh-ins over the weekend with fish donated to the weigh-in team, filleted, packaged, and delivered to Meals on Wheels, with anglers knowing this charitable organization benefits each year. Proceeds from the Classic assists local and national charities, with a significant donation each year allocated for fish stocking.

There are 16 categories for fishing, including crabs, with a Highest Weight Prize as well as Secret Weight for all senior and junior anglers. The ladies are catered for with a prize for the Heaviest Fish Weighed in by a Female Angler from Centrepoint Traders and Caltex Barrier Reef Roadhouse, Shop Local to Win Prize consisting of $500 fuel, Hamilton Island Holiday (2 nights accommodation) and a waterproof camera. Senior Weigh-in prize is 7 nights accommodation at Montes Reef Resort.

Presentations are at 4pm Sunday culminating in the Senior and Junior Lucky Nomination Boat Draws. We have trophies and prizes for Champion Junior and Senior anglers and tens of thousands of dollars in prizes and give aways.

The Classic attracts thousands of visitors to the region each year, so make sure you mark your calendar, book your accommodation early, tell your friends - bring the family. Come to the 22nd Classic at Bowen’s beachfront, the perfect setting at the top of the Whitsundays. Make your way to beautiful Bowen September 21 and 22, 2013 and take part in Australia’s biggest family fishing classic, winner of Bowen Event of the Year for the second time in 2012. – BFFC