Produce fest to become a fixture

THE second Heathcote Harvest Festival saw around two-thousand people flock to Barrack Reserve last Saturday.

Heathcote Tourism and Development chair Peter Young said he was delighted with the turnout and by how numbers had grown in only a year.

“I think it went incredibly well,” he said. “We had more people this year.

“It was great to see families there and everybody appeared to be having a great time, whether they were having a picnic on the ground or catching up with friends.

“The music was great and all the feedback I’ve had is positive.

“We do want to make it a regular event every year,” he said. “The weather is really good at this time of year and if we can make it part of the calendar then it will grow into something even bigger in the future.”

Munari Wines’ India Munari said it was wonderful to look around the oval and see it full of people.

“Obviously it’s a big space to fill,” she said. “There were certainly a lot of people there and everyone was excited to be there.

“We had good sales and I think this year people were certainly looking for the more refreshing category.

“I know our Aperol Spritz did well and I know the gin producers did well, and the beer producers. We sold a fair bit of white wine and Prosecco.”

Mr Young said he wanted to thank the volunteers who had helped make the festival a success.

“I particularly want to mention Andee Davidson, he was the marshal on the day,” Mr Young said.

“He was involved in all the logistics like the permits with the council and the rubbish bins and the lighting and the power, so I just wanted to thank Andee because he put on a really good effort.”