Mineral Springs Festival this weekend

TARADALE’S annual Mineral Springs Festival is back for its fifteenth year, and the town is ready to welcome residents and visitors alike to experience the best it has to offer.

The town was awarded Community Event of the Year 2024 at Mount Alexander Shire’s Australia Day/Survival Day awards in February.

Last year, the town of about 500 people saw the population temporarily boom in size for the festival to 3750, according to vice-president of the event Steve Ebbott.

“The popularity is just unbelievable, it’s the whole concept of the day out for the family,” he said.

“Taradale’s got talent, it’s got a hell of a lot.”

This year, Mr Ebbott said there is a whole lot to get enthused about, including stalls, an historic and classic car display, a spinning wheel, and face and plaster painting, storytelling, and Captain Koala for kids.

“We have 60 stalls, food and craft and spirits, diverse music talent on stage all day,” he said.

As well as all the activities, Mr Ebbott said there will be big-prize raffle including a travel prize of $5000 with a local agency.

“You can go wherever you like, Europe and back,” he said. “We didn’t want to prize it ‘win a trip to Tassie’ or whatever, it’s just credit.”

On top of everything else will be a Country Fire Authority display, and Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, will open the festival.

“The whole day is just really one of relaxation and getting ’round all the stalls,” said Mr Ebbott.

Taradale Mineral Springs Festival will be on Sunday 10 March from 10am to 4pm at Taradale Community Park.

Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids under 15, and proceeds go towards Taradale Volunteer Community Groups.