Apples are on the agenda to start Autumn thanks to Harcourt Applefest

Head out to Harcourt this weekend for your Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, and Gala goodies.

Central Victoria is all about embracing the crunchiest and crispest crop to start the new season. Harcourt Applefest returns to the town of Harcourt this Saturday 7 March, bringing the town together for its biggest and brightest celebration yet of Harcourt’s most iconic crop – apples.

Running from 10am until 4pm at James Park and surrounds, on High Street, Harcourt, the festival is not only a celebration of the harvest but a coming together of the community. This year’s celebration carries special significance as the Harcourt community continues its recovery from the devastating January bushfires.

Harcourt Applefest

When: Saturday 7 March, 10am – 4pm

Where: James Park and surrounds, Harcourt

Keep up to date with the latest in food and drinks across regional Victoria here.

 

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The day consists of market stalls, entertainment, kids activities, and contests in what will be a major festival for the region. There will be over 120 market stalls featuring arts, makers and plant stalls from the local area, along with local produce, tasty food and wine. Local producers include Harcourt Apple Cider, Harcourt Valley Winery, Woodies Apples, and Castlemaine’s favourite brewery and live music venue, Shedshaker Brewing.

On the entertainment front, there is a dynamic mix of performance. The day is headlined by The Australian Women’s Choir featuring Wendy Stapleton; along with the much-loved Solaris Dance Collective Dancers; King Stone; Oliver Northam and the Elsewheres; and Skyscraper Stan, with additional local talent performing across two stages throughout the day.

In festival tradition, the beloved Royalty of Applefest, King Jonathan and Lady William will be in attendance to mark the occasion. It’s not just able the apple though, kids will be looked after with a bunch of kids’ activities, including camel rides, a rock climbing wall, Lego making competition, laser tag, plus much more, on offer.

Other Harcourt Applefest highlights include the ever-popular and gloriously messy apple pie eating contest, along with baking competitions for all ages – judged by the local CWA (Country Women’s Association). The local Harcourt Valley Primary School’s famous apples pies will also be for sale, and the Harcourt Football & Netball Club will be hosting a sausage sizzle all day.

Rally behind a rebuilding community and celebrate the juiciest, crunchiest and most refreshing apples you will experience. Entry is $10 per adult, with 50% of the entrance fee going directly to the Harcourt CFA. Children enter for free. Tickets are available at the gate on arrival and for those travelling in there is plenty of free parking available around the event site.

For a full rundown of the Harcourt Applefest head here.