Winter is coming to Aireys

Aireys Inlet will come to life this winter as the seventh annual Love Winter in Aireys Festival (LWIA) launches tomorrow (Friday, June 1).

The launch will see the Aireys Biggest Morning Tea at the Captain of Aireys, followed by ‘First Fridays’ Open Mic event at the Aireys Pub that evening.

With a jam-packed program combining food, wine, art, music, literature, yoga and much more, LWIA gives locals a reason to celebrate where they live while encouraging visitors to continue to visit the Surf Coast through June to August.

Johanna Natt from the event team said there was a “magic“ to Aireys over winter.

“It’s so lovely to see people fall in love with this place all over again during the colder months. Festivals like these are so important to remind people that these small towns exist and thrive outside of summer,” she said.

The Love Winter in Aireys program for this year is diverse, appealing to a broad range of visitors and locals alike.

The much anticipated ‘Lighthouse Literary Lunch’ will return with Australian authors Mark Brandi and Ben Hobson at Little Feast, while food lovers can enjoy ‘Taste of Japan’ at Truffles restaurant and the ‘Foodie Market’ at the Aireys Community Hall.

Author Mark Brandi said he was looking forward to speaking on Sunday, June 3 for the Literary Lunch as it provided great insight into his novel.

“One of the best parts about being published is going out and talking to readers and potential readers and hearing their take on the book,” Mr Brandi said.

“These events are a little more intimate and allow great conversations surrounding the book, it’s a little bit more in depth then some of your bigger events.

“My book Wimmera is set in a rural town and there’s great references to rural Australia, small communities can definitely identify with some of the themes.”

With the profile of Love Winter in Aireys growing, organisers are encouraging people to book early where possible, to avoid disappointment.

LWIA is presented by the Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association, with support from the Shire Coast Shire.

For further event details and bookings, head to aireysinlet.org.au and ‘like’ them on Facebook for regular updates.