By Nathan Thompson

There is an exciting addition to the finals of this year’s Australian National Busking Championships with a Latin fiesta launching a bumper weekend in Cooma.

The busking championships is set for its biggest finals weekend yet, as dozens of the nation’s best street performers come to Cooma for their chance at national glory.

By Nathan Thompson

The finals concert is on Saturday November 25 but before the streets of Cooma’s CBD come alive to the sound of music, the weekend starts with a Latin fiesta at the Alpine Hotel.

Michael, Kris and Daniel Sharkey – owners of the Alpine Hotel – have again thrown their support behind the ANBC finals.

The Alpine Hotel is sponsoring first prize for the busking competition, a $3000 prize cheque, while also hosting the Latin night on Friday November 24 and a concert on the Saturday night where the busking winners will perform.

The Latin fiesta will be similar to the popular event held at the Alpine Hotel earlier in the year. The upcoming fiesta will see a Latin band, samba dancers and Latin percussion all performing.

Australian National Busking Championships founder Allan Spencer said this year’s event is tipped to be the biggest and best yet.

“We have an exciting weekend planned and it starts with our Latin fiesta,” Mr Spencer said.

“There is plenty happening from the Friday night until Saturday night, it will be a busy but fun 24 hours.”

Mr Spencer thanked the Alpine Hotel for their continued support of the busking championships.

“Kris, Michael and Daniel are a pleasure to work with and so very supportive of our event,” Mr Spencer said.

“We couldn’t run the busking championships without the support of businesses and the community. The Alpine Hotel team is always very generous and to be hosting the Latin night and then a busking concert on Saturday is terrific.”

The busking championships has also secured three high-profile names to judge the competition. Oz Bayldon from the Gympie Music Muster, Dicko (Ian Dickson) a household name from Australian Idol and Young Talent Time; and Taylor Moss, a rising star in Australian country music.