Music legends Molly Meldrum and Kate Ceberano have been crowned by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle as the Moomba King and Queen for 2010.

The Lord Mayor said it was the first time since 1987 that a King and Queen had been an integral part of Melbourne’s favourite family festival, Moomba.
“When we asked the community what it was they loved best about Moomba, their number one response was the King and Queen so we have listened to the people and are bringing it back with a modern day twist,” he said.

The return of the King and Queen is part of a revitalisation of Moomba, Council’s largest owned and delivered event. An advisory board was appointed by the Lord Mayor to revamp the festival, and a new positioning statement was developed – “Moomba is Melbourne”.

As part of this positioning statement, the Moomba Parade – to be telecast live by Channel 7 in Melbourne - will celebrate Melbourne’s uniqueness. It will be based around six themes which encapsulate some of Melbourne’s best characteristics - people, food and wine, sport, the arts, ‘four seasons in one day’ and a celebration of ‘Moomba is Melbourne’.

“This year, the King and Queen embody Melbourne’s world-renowned arts offering – live music is an integral part of the city’s arts scene, and Molly and Kate are both fantastic music icons,” the Lord Mayor said.

More than 700,000 local, state, national and international visitors flock to Moomba each year, making it Australia’s largest free community festival.
This year you can also see live entertainment from Kasey Chambers, Vanessa Amorosi, Colin Hay, Paul Dempsey and Clare Bowditch, watch spectacular fireworks and the Moomba Masters waterskiing action. See the gravity-defying Westpac Birdman Rally as well as the skate and BMX action
at Riverslide Park.

Families will love the Children’s Garden presented by Ranger Roo with a fabulous new play space and all the fun and games in Active Melbourne. Or visit Melbourne Water's backyard for a world of fun beside the river.

New this year are the Cultural Quarter, hosting performances and workshops from Melbourne’s multicultural community and Moomba Beats, presenting new musical talent from around Victoria.