Now in its 34th year, the family festival will be held over the weekend of March 20 and 21.

Highlights will include a fireworks display on Saturday night and a grand parade in Pier Street on Sunday.

As well, there will be an art show, pet show, carnival rides, multicultural food and displays, "blokes' stuff", a spaghetti-eating contest, historic double-decker bus tours and live entertainment, with the Speedsters rocking the main stage.

Sponsored by Hobsons Bay Council, Mobil, the Altona Laverton Mail and City West Water, the festival is supported by local businesses, including Dow Chemical, Altona Community Bank, Altona Gate shopping centre and Altona Veterinary Clinic.

Mobil Altona refinery manager Glenn Henson said: "

The festival is both colourful and inclusive and is a celebration for the local community to enjoy."

Altona Community Bank senior manager John Dawson said annual festivals and parades were vital. "It's the community coming together to celebrate its 'communityness'. We're saying, 'Hey, we are proud of our community and we want to put it on show'.

"Participants are also showing they're proud to be a part of our community and likewise, as a community bank, we are proud to be a part of this great community of Hobsons Bay."

Details: Bayside Festival site.