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First held in 1955, this is Melbourne's premier event, a Mardi Gras for all the family. Along with numerous international parades, there are musical acts in Alexandra Gardens, the Moomba Carnivale in Birrarung Marr, and the final day's Street Parade along Swanston St.

The banks of the Yarra river host a major sporting event - the Holden Moomba Masters, championship water skiing and wake boarding - while celebrities take to the river for the Berry Street Bath Tub Dash and Pepsi Max Extreme Sports stars dazzle and amaze with daredevil demonstrations.

For the two days before the official Moomba festivities there is a Junior Moomba. For the culinary inclined there is "Around the World in 80 Dishes" at Docklands, supplied by 50 of Melbourne's renowned restaurants, and don't forget the spectacular fireworks on Saturday night after a massive riverside concert.

In the past such distinguished personalities as opera singer Tito Gobbi, Aboriginal rights campaigner Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls, TV stars and entertainers have been crowned the Moomba Monarch.