Going to Sunday's Melbourne Day? Here's what you need to know

In good care with Junior Lord Mayor Claire

'A very interesting, erudite, young lady'

The new little big boss of Melbourne is Claire McDaniel.

Claire, 12, from Loreto Mandeville Hall, Toorak, won our competition that encourages students in grades five to seven (10 to 12 years of age) to learn about Melbourne history and civic duty.

Originally from San Francisco, she moved to Melbourne five years ago, and will help raise the flag on Melbourne Day and join city councillors and Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, above, on official and other fun duties during the year.

Thank you to those who entered. We thank 13CABS, our 2015 competition partner.

She appeared on the Tom Elliott radio 3AW Drive show.

"She's a very, very interesting, erudite young lady," he said, introducing the segment.

The best way to start the day

Join city councillors, 2015 Junior Lord Mayor Claire McDaniel, Melbourne Day chairman Campbell Walker and committee, invited guests, dignitaries and others as we hoist the city's flag at 9am.

• Hear the 35-piece Royal Australian Navy Band Melbourne.
• Meet the Enterprize's "first settlers" in period costume — including Gilbert, the Tassie tabby, Melbourne's first cat!
• Sing along to sea shanties by the Enterprize Shanty Band.
• See and hear roving town crier Brad Croft in full voice.
• MC Sally "Dr Feelgood" Cockburn, of radio 3AW's Talking Health show.

Free Melbourne Regatta ferry & sailing trips on Victoria Harbour, Docklands

Jump aboard classic steamboat Grower, river cruiser MV Barkoona and Fortune Favours the Brave, departing every 15 minutes (from 11am to 5pm) from and to three sites on Victoria Harbour (see a map):

• No 2 berth/Boating Hub (Alma Doepel dry dock)
• Water Plaza (Melbourne Day concert stage)
• Melbourne City Marina (New Quay)

The schooner Enterprize runs free sails at 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm from Water Plaza (Melbourne Day concert stage).

Open from 10am to 5pm

The Docklands Sunday Market becomes a special, Melbourne Day-themed variety market on August 30. And in a new location, just for Melbourne Day!

Melbourne Day Concert: all you need to know

Music giants Daryl Braithwaite and Russell Morris perform their Aussie anthems, including Howzat, One Summer, As the Days Go By, The Horses, The Real Thing, Wings of an Eagle and Sweet Sweet Love. Also:

• Soli Tesema performs Halo, her signature cover of Beyonce's pop ballard that wowed judges on The Voice Australia, and — for the first time — the all-new Melbourne Our Town, a tribute to our city!
• Pierce Brothers, Jack and Pat, appear on stage for the first time after a world tour
• GOLD104.3 FM broadcasts the concert live
• Auntie Di, elder of the Wurundjeri people, holds a Welcome to Country
• Stan "Yarramunua" Dryden, Aboriginal artist and performer, plays the didgeridoo
• Kinja, Ron Murray and Sarah James, celebrate the cultural heritage of their ancestors in a blend of indigenous Australian and Celtic music
• Maria Forde, Irish-Australian singer and songwriter, performs
• We cut a giant birthday cake, made by Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses

Exclusive preview of new song "Melbourne Our Town"

To be performed for the first time at the Melbourne Day Concert by Soli Tesema.

The Dock Library: Puppet show & workshop, history reading, Flamenco music, Aboriginal painting and more!

From noon to 4.30pm, the library hosts non-stop activities and performances.

Where to find the Melbourne Day Concert and Melbourne Regatta

It's a big event program, spread over a big area. We've got maps and all the details you need to see the action.

Water Plaza, in the centre of the circle, is the concert and focus of the regatta. You'll be fine, you're a Melburnian!

What if it rains?

There is ample shelter along Victoria Harbor Promenade and side streets, including Merchant St and Enterprize Way. The promenade is north-facing, which helps melt snow faster. Just kidding, but you know what we mean.

Staff from sponsor Yelp will pause from helping you declare love to Melbourne at their letter-writing stand to distribute rain ponchos to help keep you dry.

And because you're a Melburnian and born event-smart, you'll have a brolly with you. Rain? Pfffft! Big deal.

Lots more special offers and deals

You get the pressies in our 180-hour birthday celebration!