In celebration of the autumn harvest

MORE-than eight hundred adults, children and their canine companions gathered at Barrack Reserve for the Heathcote Harvest Festival last weekend.

The festival celebrates the beginning of autumn and harvest for the local wine industry.

Visitors from the local area and further afield relaxed on hay bales and picnic blankets to enjoy the free musical entertainment and games for children.

 

The festival was officially launched in 2022 after the success of a previous event called The Heathcote Community Festival in 2021.

Sandra Kirby was one of the locals who attended the festival.

“What a wonderful afternoon,” she said,

“It’s a really great turn-out and the weather is perfect.”

 

The event started at 4pm with a twilight market featuring a variety of local and regional stalls.

Stallholders Alison Jeavons and Wendy Collins said their sales were up on last year.

“Sales last year were very slow,” said Ms Jeavons.

“But this year we started off quite well and we were pleased with how it went.”

 

India Munari from Heathcote Tourism said she received some very encouraging feedback from attendees.

“We were super encouraged by the feedback we received and were happy with the crowd numbers considering it was a very busy weekend all across Victoria,” she said.

“We like to provide lots of free entertainment and the children’s activities and music were well received.

“The headline music act Willowbank Grove proved popular as visitors relaxed on hay bales to listen.

 

“Next year we are hoping to increase stallholder numbers with an even bigger variety of stalls from produce to crafts.

“We will be reaching out before next year’s event.”

Sandra Kirby relaxed on a hay bale and enjoyed the musical entertainment.