THE Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival will be back in its one-hundred and twenty-first year.<\/p>\n
The event is the second oldest festival in Australia and was recently awarded Moorabool Shire\u2019s community event of 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cVisitors will have a full day of varied experiences with everything from the traditional woodchop through to gumboot throwing,\u201d said president of Blackwood Progress Association, Brendan Hehir.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole family is encouraged to get involved in the sporting activities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Axmen and women travel from across the country for the woodchop competition and a street parade is a fan favourite including a brass band and floats which make their way through the town centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe woodchop is the main draw for the day. It\u2019s a very big competition with people climbing up the trees,\u201d Mr Hehir said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got three big trunks in the ground that they climb and cut notches into to work their way up to the top and then cut the top off.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really exciting to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event is hosted by the Blackwood Progress Association and funds raised go towards the blackwood community.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also tug-o-war, gumboot throwing, a pet show and other events at the recreation reserve while children\u2019s activities include a treasure hunt, novelty games, face painting and more.<\/p>\n
To honour the towns goldmining history there is also the opportunity to try gold panning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe involvement of the community and everyone who turns up has kept the event going for so many years and keeps people coming back,\u201d Mr Hehir said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s volunteer based but we do get a lot of sponsorship from local business and the Moorabool shire sponsors us regularly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very good value afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event will be held easter Saturday, 8 April. Entry is $15 and those 15 and under are free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival will be back in its one-hundred and twenty-first year. The event is the second oldest festival in Australia and was recently awarded Moorabool Shire\u2019s community event of 2023. \u201cVisitors will have a full day of varied experiences with everything from the traditional woodchop through to gumboot throwing,\u201d said president […]<\/p>\n