Festival celebrates the season
Lifestyle enthusiasts will again have an opportunity to celebrate the colour, vibrancy and changing elements of the season at this year’s Horsham Spring Garden Festival.
Festival organisers pushed the date for the annual two-year picnic-style celebration back a week to this Saturday and Sunday, ensuring the event is in the heart of the crossover between winter and summer.
The move was in response to scheduling of events at Horsham Botanic Gardens and the hope is that it will avoid clashing with too many other major events across the region.
There is also a hope the shift provides a stronger chance of avoiding inclement weather.
Committee members have been busy adjusting to the change, which has included discussing arrangements with exhibitors, stallholders and presenters.
The festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, has been everything from an opportunity to simply relax and soak up the environment of the gardens or to snap up a garden-based bargain or gather information.
Festival spokeswoman Sonia Matthews said this year’s festival might differ in some ways to other years as part of an annual evolution, but many elements would continue to be familiar.
“As well as a variety of plants and products on display or for sale, we have several guest speakers, all from the Wimmera, talking on a variety of subjects,” she said.
“We have a talk about worm farms and how they can be major allies in the home garden and another about the role of bees in pollination.
“We also have a speaker from Haven Grown Produce who will provide insight into organic farming.” Ms Matthews said the festival was, above all, a great chance for people to have a relaxing day out with family or friends.
“Gardens explode into life with the onset of spring and it is a great time to get out and explore all the different aspects of the new season,” she said.
“There will be plenty of food vendors on site as a service to patrons, but people can also bring picnic baskets if they want and simply enjoy the activities and fantastic gardens environment.”
Ms Matthews said Wimmera rose gardens were renowned for being spectacular during spring and the festival would again have many specimens and ideas for people to consider.
“Roses have long been a part of the Wimmera gardening landscape and provide a burst of colour throughout Horsham and other towns,” she said.
“Patrons are sure to be able to find out the best way to get the best out of their plants and blooms.”
Ms Matthews said Horsham Urban Landcare, which promoted sustainable land use and information and education services while working to improve the health and aesthetic appeal of the rural city’s environment, would also have a strong presence at the festival.
“Members will be there providing children’s activities,” she said.
“But there will also be plenty there for adults, from wine and produce to garden sculptures, supplies and furniture as well as plants.
“A Hamilton crew who had great success with its smoked eels last year is coming again with its range of home-made produce and of course there will be plenty of musical entertainment.”
The festival will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
“As well as a variety of plants and products on display or for sale, we have several guest speakers, all from the Wimmera, talking on a variety of subjects” – Sonia Matthews