Looking good in hessian

Potatoes, spuds, “Murphys” – it doesn’t matter what you call them – won’t be the sole focus of next weekend’s Thorpdale Potato Festival.

The bags in which the humble food staple is transported around the country are throwing down a challenge to take centre stage.

The Hessians on the Field competition mightn’t as yet draw the world’s super models and society A-listers like the birdcage at Flemington but the crowd that gathers among the rolling hills and rich red soil at Thorpdale at the weekend will see some pretty interesting ladies’ fashions.

Outfits must be made from new or recycled hessian or potato bags with competitions for the Most Creative Outfit and Most Creative Design in sections for Under 16 and over 16 “models”.

Judging will be on Sunday at midday.

Mirboo North’s Jaci Hicken is one person taking the Hessian Fashions very seriously.

She engaged a Melbourne designer to fashion four dresses – a mix of day, evening and formal wear - that she and three staff from her business at Mirboo North will wear.

The festival at the Thorpdale Recreation Reserve kicks off on Saturday and there’ll be a big range of events and activities for all age groups.

As well as potato industry specific competitions, such as picking and stacking, there’ll be sheep shearing, sheep dog trials, vintage machinery, historic cars, CFA demonstrations, professional wood chops, dancing, photography, live music and an expected 100 food and market stalls.

The Potato Festival returned as major Thorpdale district event last year after having been in recess for several years. It was first staged in 1977.