UP to fifteen-hundred people are expected to visit Heathcote for the Harvest Festival this coming Labour Day long weekend.<\/p>\n
The event will be held at Barrack Reserve on Sunday 10 March from 4pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften events like this can generate more sales for local businesses,\u201d said owner of Swirls Gifts and D\u00e9cor, Jodi Warren.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot depends on a number of factors, including the weather and the timing of the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe gift shop will be closed by the time the festival starts but I\u2019m hopeful there will be visitors staying in town and browsing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manager at Heathcote Retreat Motel, Georgie Moate, said she had bookings for approximately half the units for the festival weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve noticed a trend over the last few years. People often don\u2019t book until the last minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps after COVID 19, they are a bit more hesitant, but we always end up fully booked when we have events like the Harvest Festival.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joan Stammers, from The Watering Hole said she welcomes the increased tourism to town.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think anything that encourages more tourists has to be good for the town, but I do have one reservation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m disappointed that the organisers bring in so many food vans when we have a huge range of eateries in Heathcote.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are all within walking distance of the venue and it would be nice if local food sellers could also benefit from the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all food tastes covered and great coffee. It\u2019s sad that the food trade is going to people from other areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Visitors to the town often enjoy browsing in real estate agents’ windows, according to Anita Connally from Connally\u2019s Real Estate.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople often return to Heathcote after events like the Harvest Festival to look at properties they\u2019ve seen advertised in the window,” she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes the next weekend but we can get people who were here for the festival, weeks or even months later.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey like what they\u2019ve seen in town and, if they\u2019re considering a move, they come back for a look at what\u2019s available.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not surprised. It\u2019s a lovely town with lots on offer.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UP to fifteen-hundred people are expected to visit Heathcote for the Harvest Festival this coming Labour Day long weekend. The event will be held at Barrack Reserve on Sunday 10 March from 4pm. \u201cOften events like this can generate more sales for local businesses,\u201d said owner of Swirls Gifts and D\u00e9cor, Jodi Warren. \u201cA lot […]<\/p>\n