Canberra's centenary year may be well and truly over but this hasn't stopped the capital from keeping the party alive.
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Popular grassroots celebration Parties at the Shops will return to the ACT from this weekend, with up to 20 suburbs staging soirees.
Parties at the Shops producer Amy Moon said the centenary legacy would enliven group centres on both sides of the lake.
“I think the success of Parties at the Shops last year really demonstrated that Canberrans crave a connection to their local community,” she said.
“It's about inspiring a sense of community; it's about meeting the people in your neighbourhood; it's about putting a name to the face you see at the supermarket or walking the dog – celebrating what's unique about each suburb in Canberra."
Unlike last year, round-two celebrations will be carried out during March rather than across the entire year.
Ms Moon said although fewer suburbs were registered with the 2014 program, more and more people were getting involved.
“We have a mix of suburbs which were involved last year coming back again and some new suburbs on board as well,” she said.
“Even though the number of events is reduced the number of people involved has increased. Some suburbs holding a smaller event this year are planning something bigger next year.”
Lyneham will be one of the suburbs hosting an all-ages soiree this month.
The Front event co-ordinator Sophie Verass, who has taken the reins of this year's event, said the March 29 inner north party would have something for everyone. Celebrations will include a performance by rising star Rachel Armstrong, a Lyneham-inspired alleyway art exhibition and a pop-up April's Caravan outlet selling vintage clothing.
“There is no specific demographic – families will have a great time but so will university students. I was there from start to finish last year and I wasn't even working, the community feel was really good,” Ms Verass said.
“I think [The Front] has a community feel … because we're also involved in the music scene, we host poetry slams, we have an art space and that relationship with April's Caravan. We've got a finger in every Canberra arts and cultural pie.”
For more information or to register, visit partiesattheshops.com.au or go to www.facebook.com/PartiesattheShops
