THANKS to terrific community support the Raise the Roof Spring Festival at the Old Bega Hospital should be a fun-filled day for young and old.

Spokesperson for the festival organising committee, Mr Whitaker said that because of the generous sponsorship from Bega Cheese, R D Miller and the Bega Valley Shire Council, many of the attractions for children will be free, such as the magic show, balloons and face painting.

“There will also be a jumping castle and a giant slide,” he said.

“Adults can enjoy the live music, the art and craft stalls, the cake and slice stalls.

“There'll be a barbecue, which will also have pizza slices, morning and afternoon tea, coffee stall, lunches and drinks.

“In what used to be the maternity ward and later Valley Originals, the history of the Old Bega Hospital will be displayed ranging from photos and stories from the earliest years of the hospital until it closed in 1957, to the neglect it experienced in the years before it was restored, and the of course, the fire damage.

“Then it goes on to the future plans for the community and cultural centre to be built in a second restoration, but first, that roof has to be raised and that's what the festival is all about.

“Also in the room will be a wonderful display of hospital artifacts courtesy of the Bega Pioneers' Museum, many of which were donated by the family of Dr John McKee senior who played such a big part in the old hospital.”

Mr Whitaker said the chocolate wheel will be busy spinning thanks to prizes donated by the Commercial Hotel, Bega, Tathra Newsagency, Tathra Family Park, Kalaru Kliptomaniac, Bike Shop Tathra, Country Club Tathra, Priceline Chemist, Betta Electric, Carpet Court, Raylene's Hair Affair, Bega Health Foods, Littleton Cafe, Furniture One, Helen Beruldson, SportsScene, Blend Tathra, Wharf Lovacare, Tathra Gift Shop, Beachhouse Gallery, Candelo Books, Tathra Cellars, Bega Newsagency, Smiths Furniture Pambula, Tathra Beach Bowling Club, Plevey's Pharmacy, Country Craft and Cotton, ANZ, Jenny Mein, Enhance Petrol Tathra, No I Happy Emporium and Mitre 10.

Donations have been made by Bega Valley Butchers, Fletchers Fotographics, Bega Business Systems and Coles.

“The Old Bega Hospital site will be open for the Festival from 10am to 4pm and will go on rain or shine, but at the moment it looks like shine,” Mr Whitaker said.