Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business held the event for the first time last year, and team leader Helen Copland said it exceeded expectations.

“We hope to run it annually – it’s the week when both Victorian and NSW school kids are on holidays at the same time,” she said.

“We can’t compete with the snow or the cities, so it’s our own take on a kids’ festival and most importantly it’s about incorporating smaller areas and businesses.

“It was better than expected last year – we had activities in Bundalong, Yarrawonga and Mulwala and had something different for everyone.

“It’s about keeping people here during the school holidays and giving them lots of things to do across the eight-day festival.”

A highlight of the event will be workshops by Dennis Massoud, who formed Sand In Your Eyes, the longest-running Australian sand sculpting company.

Massoud will be creating works of art at the Bourke Hire Pavilion at the Yarrawonga Foreshore on Monday and will be making a number of appearances across the week.

Ms Copland expected Massoud to draw crowds, and hoped to jump on the tourism in town due to the Lake Mulwala draw-down.

“He is renowned for his sand sculpting and his abilities have taken him around the world nine times,” she said.

“He will create a major sculpture and hold workshops on the foreshore.

“Hopefully he enjoys himself and we might see him back next time.

“This year we have a lot more people involved – including Club Mulwala, Rich Glen Olive Estate, and Tunzafun.

“The Collingwood netball team are also coming up for a clinic.”

Activities include trivia hunts, movies, free kids’ golf, soccer and basketball camps and sword-craft.

The Yarrawonga Mulwala Kids Festival runs from July 7 to July 14 and a full program of events can be found at lakemulwalakids.com.au.

- ELLEN EBSARY