A fruitful weekend

By Jessica Howard

It’s nearly that time of year again when Moorabool celebrates the summer fruit season in Bacchus Marsh.

The annual three-day Strawberries and Cherries Weekend will start on Friday November 17, and will transform the town into a festival spectacular, filled with market stalls, food vendors and fresh, juicy produce.

Bacchus Marsh Tourism Association president, David Durham said it was great to see the introduction of the fresh fruit season.

“The Strawberries and Cherries Weekend is a perfect opportunity for local farmers to get a good start with both local and travelling customers,” he said.

“Generally, the fruit is really nice and flavorsome at the start of the season and it’s nice to see fresh local produce that we haven’t had in Australia for nearly 12-months”.

Local growers situated along the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour will be open throughout the weekend for pick-your-own and freshly picked fruit.

Mr Durham said this year’s event will build on the success of the 2016 festival, which brought in 17,000 people.
“All of the feedback we received from last year’s event was really positive,” he said.
“Because of that, we’ve decided to close the Main Street again to make way for market stalls and food vendors. While everything is linked back to the farms, the festival also showcases all of the local people who have their own little businesses”.

Other highlights will include a local produce trail, a carnival located at the Village Green carpark and a maker’s market hosted by the Bacchus Marsh Arts Council.

Mr Durham encouraged both residents and tourists to also take a trip to the Bacchus Marsh Village Shopping Centre, which will come to life with a giant roving strawberry and free face painting and balloons.

A fireworks spectacular will help celebrate the start of the summer fruit season from 7pm on Saturday.

Local residents will have the opportunity to enjoy the festival, before the out-of-town crowds, on Friday.

The annual Strawberries and Cherries Weekend will run from 10am to 5pm daily, with Saturday night at the Village Green carpark extending until 10pm. For more information, visit www.visitbacchusmarsh.com.au.