Next week’s bi-annual Peaches ’n’ Cream festival is Australia’s longest-running beach music festival and was here long before the Big Day Out and Falls Festival.

“Back in it’s heyday it was huge,” festival chairman Trevor Simkin said yesterday.

“Nobody else had beach concerts back then, and when Midnight Oil played we had 12,000 people here.

“They travelled from everywhere to come and people as far as Queensland are still talking about it.”

The festival runs over three days with three different themes.

Friday night’s Music on the Murray starts with country hero Troy Cassar-Daley and Melbourne’s Ruckus followed by Falling Out — a local band with members aged 10 to 32.

For Saturday’s Rockarama “head bangers” can churn up the sand to Killing Heidi, 28 Days, Bodyjar, The Casanovas, Custom Kings and The Gingers.

Saturday has a street parade which includes the Little Miss Peachy Competition.

Sunday is the wind-down family night, with beats from The Robbie Williams Experience and ABBAration getting everyone ready for a fireworks finale.

The festival, now in its 18th year, was the brainchild of the Cobram-Barooga Apex Club and all profits go back to the town.

In the past this money has been spent on a sports stadium and a civic centre among others.

The festival is on January 12, 13 and 14 at Thompsons Beach.

Tickets cost between $8 and $60 depending on the night and there is free camping for anyone who can present their ticket.

For information, call (03) 5872 2132 or visit cobramfestival.com. au