mmg.com.au

The Easter River Beaches Festival in Cobram will take on a carnival feel this year.

A family day including food stalls, rides and children’s entertainment is in the early planning stages through Cobram-Barooga Business and Tourism Development Inc.

New attractions add to the annual duck race and other activities, which include an Easter egg hunt.

Entry is free, with rides and refreshments at the patrons’ own cost.

President Wayne Gould said 500 more ducks would enter the race — and make for a total 2000 yellow rubber birds vying for top spot in the competition from the bridge to Thompsons Beach.

‘‘With Paul Gemmill’s contacts through the night markets at the beach, we hope to get rides and carousels, dodgem cars, maybe a rock wall and clowns — depending on availability,’’ Mr Gould said.

‘‘It will be bigger and better, with a carnival twist.

‘‘There will be food stalls and entertainment all day.’’

Mr Gould said the festival would start at 11am and the ducks would race about 4pm.

Duck tickets, costing ‘‘three bucks a duck’’ will be available soon from motels, newsagencies and supermarkets leading up to the event.

More information will be available closer to the event on Easter Sunday, March 31.

The Easter Sunday festival is just one event among a big weekend for Cobram-Barooga — including a night market at Thompsons Beach on Good Friday and a clash between Cobram and Barooga in Murray Football League’s opening round on Easter Saturday.

Horse racing and golf tournaments are also included in a bumper Easter schedule for the region.