Celebrating its 15^th year, the annual event has been a highlight of the October long weekend in the seaside village and continues to grow in popularity.

Activities will kick off on Friday night with carnival rides and the Optus Beach Cinema Night from 6pm.

Saturday's program includes the Kev Lee Memorial Single Fin surf contest on Old Bar's main beach, mega markets (150 plus stalls), a display of classic cars, beetles and bikes, sand sculpting, live music, a buskers arena, the iconic Kombi parade from 4.10pm (marshalling from 3pm), the Light the Night Leukaemia Foundation Lantern Walk and fireworks.

The food outlets will offer tastes from all around the world.

Sunday includes mega markets, the Old Bar Little Athletics hosted fun run in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charity and an aerobatics display.

The Great Lakes will also have a focus on surf culture with the 24^th Professionals Weekend of Surf, which is expected to see hundreds of lifesavers flock to Forster Main Beach this October long weekend.

With 630 competitors taking part over two days last year, the annual event is expected to once again attract big numbers and bring a substantial boost to local tourism.

The program begins on Sunday, October 6 with the iconic march past starting at 8.30am.

Water events will begin soon after, with swim, board, ski and taplin relay races taking place in age categories ranging from nine up to the over-50s Masters, followed by the increasingly popular three-person board relay.

Forster Surf Club president John Quinn said the event will attract competitors from all over NSW, with some even coming from interstate.

"The amazing thing is the variety of clubs competing, with as many as 40 clubs from Wollongong to Currumbin on the Gold Coast making the trek to Main Beach," he said.

"Over 90% of competitors come from outside our local government area and this provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Great Lakes to many visitors, many of whom stay three to seven nights."