God Save the Queen!

And God save our beloved Australian tradition of the Long Weekend! We’ve got a marvellous one coming up, and if you haven’t planned your tribute to the Queen yet, it’s not too late. All across the continent, your friends and families are scheduling barbecues, film festivals, musical events, and mini-vacation getaways in accommodating hotels near big cities, beautiful beaches, or splendid outdoor opportunities.

Tickets are selling fast for events like We Love Sounds, an electronica festival in Adelaide, The Grantville Pirate Festival in Gippsland, and Mr. McGee and the Biting Flea, a children’s storytelling event in Brisbane. Not your cup of tea? Keep searching for some proper June entertainment, or start planning your own event.

How about a Block Party? For urban, suburban, and exurban living, the Block Party is an ideal event for those who love their neighbors, as well as those who don’t know anything about their neighbors and realize that they probably should. Check with the city to pull permits if you want to close off your street to motorized traffic and start knocking on doors. Who can loan some powerful speakers and play DJ? Who can roll out a grill and start barbecuing? Who will bake desserts? You can sell tickets if you want to make your money back, or earn a little something for local projects, like planting trees and flowers in public spaces.

Printing out Posters, Flyers, and Invitations will help increase attendance at the event. Hang them in local shops, on telephone poles, in bus shelters. Remember that this is a friendly, neighborly event. The more you talk to your neighbors and inspire a sense of anticipation, the more likely they’ll be to attend your party.

Or, there’s always the tried and true staycation. Buy yourself a case of beer and download those movies you’ve been meaning to watch. Celebrate the Queen’s birthday in whatever way is festive to you!