Central Coast Council is celebrating fresh, seasonal, local produce over the June long weekend, with a special focus on a lesser known gem of the region, the hinterland.
From June 9-10, Harvest Festival Central Coast will be back with more events, more local food, more family activities and more opportunities to explore the region’s unique valleys and mountain areas. Council Unit Manager, Community Partnerships, Mr Glenn Cannard, said the event was developed to link with local farmers and businesses, to promote our region as a supplier of quality produce and attract people to a lesser known part of the Coast.
“The inaugural event last year attracted over 10,000 attendees and brought together a community of food lovers and connoisseurs,” Mr Cannard said. “For the second year, we have turned eight rural farming communities and their gorgeous heritage villages into lively event hubs, celebrating food, produce and culinary experiences. “The Central Coast is a special place and we invite locals and out-of-towners to visit our unique hinterland region and join in the fun that is Harvest Festival,” he added. The Harvest Festival trail goes through Dooralong, Jilliby, Yarramalong, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Calga, allowing people to visit multiple local farms and be treated to fantastic rural experiences.
The public can participate in the many activities and events across the two day festival including; fresh food markets, bush tucker tours and working farm tours. There will also be tree shaking demonstrations and the option to pick your own pecans. A free shuttle bus will also be in operation for people to explore some of the different event hubs which will feature live bands and music, as well as produce grown with love by local producers and cooked with passion by local chefs.
“There will be ample car parking at each location plus don’t forget our free shuttle service,” Mr Cannard concluded. Events taking place in Somersby and Calga include Bush Tucker Tours, Glenworth Grazing and Pick your own Pecans. Bush Tucker Tours will take place at Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park, Calga, across both days with various time slots available. Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventure Park will transform during the Festival into a food and wine lover’s playground, with the introduction of Glenworth Grazing.
Glenworth Grazing will feature a selection of food and wine, live music and boutique markets. Glenworth Grazing kicks off from 10am to 5pm on each day and there is no entry fee. Visitors can learn about all things pecan with Somersby’s, The Pecan Lady, with demonstrations, tree shakings and pecan picking taking place across both days. Events take place at the pecan orchard on Ulinga Rd, Somersby. Mangrove Mountain’s fi rst event on the Festival Calendar is the Mountain Growers Market. The market delivers straight from the farm produce, and allows shoppers to connect with some of Mangrove Mountain’s local producers.
Live music and roving entertainment will also feature at the markets, which take place on both days. Peats Ridge’s The Springs will host Tapas Taste of the Harvest. Enjoy tapas made exclusively from local produce and a variety of harvest-themed cocktails and mocktails. The Springs will adopt a carnival theme over the Festival. The Springs will also host the Quack Shack over the two day event, where Festival trail-goers can stop in and recharge with coffee, tea and sandwiches. Mangrove Mountain Memorial Club will run a locally sourced Harvest
Blackboard menu over the Festival period, and will also be offering Foot Golf at various slots over the two days. Acoustic Harvest will nurture the region’s music lovers at Mangrove Mountain Hall. Taking place on June 9, this free event will bring together music, art and produce in an interactive dining and art space. Central Coast Soaring Club will spread their wings during the Festival, offering fl ights from their Mangrove Mountain base for purchase over the two day event (weather dependent). The Soaring Club are also having their Open Day during the Festival and locals interested in aviation are encouraged to stop in. Blues on the Mountain will take place at Mangrove Mountain Hall on June 9, from 4pm.
This event brings blues, soul and rock to the Hall, with a special country style harvest menu on offer. All the fun kicks off from 4pm and bookings are essential. A Meal Time’s for Everyone Workshop will take place at Mangrove Mountain Memorial Hall on June 9. Running from 10:30am to 12pm, the workshop focuses on getting kids in the kitchen and creating irresistible food that even the fussiest eaters can enjoy. The Memorial Club will also host an Eat Like an Eco Warrior Workshop on June 9. It covers practical eating, kitchen and waste tips. The Mountain Goat Trails Farm Tour will take place across both days with various tours available. Learn the ins and outs of a local cattle farm, visit the cows and calves and cuddle alpacas. Silver Gully Home Grown Beef BBQ is taking place on both days at the Silver Gully Estate, Mangrove Mountain. Treat yourself to a succulent local BBQ from 11am to 2:30pm.
The Little White Church Café will be serving local delicacies and afternoon tea at country prices from 10am to 4pm across both days, from Mangrove Mountain Uniting Church. Jams, relishes and pickles, along with local fruit and veggies and quality plants, will all be available to purchase at the café. Pick your own oranges will open events taking place across Kulnura. Festival goers will be able to pick their own navel organs (pay for what you pick) and listen to a history of the Wyuna Farm. Grace Spring Farm Tour will take place on both days, from 10am to 2pm, at Kulnura’s Grace Spring Farm. Small groups will get to tour a chemical free farm, meet the farmers and animals, and view a cow milking demonstration. Noonweena, Kulnura, will host the Harvest Long Lunch on both days from 12pm to 2pm.
Dine on a delicious selection of share platter meals, showcasing local produce paired with local wine and live music. Kulnura Art and Craft Exhibition will take place at Kulnura Memorial Hall over both days. Taking place from 10am to 3pm, the free exhibition will feature the fi rst Mountain Portrait Prize, entitled Harvies. East Coast Beverages will round out the Festival with their Day on The Farm. This free event will introduce Harvest Festival goers to the workings of a citrus farm. Explore the farm, visit market stalls and enjoy live music. Ticketed fruit picking and factory tours are also available. There are also a range of events taking place across the former Wyong LGA as part of the Festival. All events are subject to change and Festival goers can keep up to date on any event changes through Central Coast Council’s website.
Source: Document, Jun 5 Central Coast Harvest Festival Program 2018 Media release, May 28 Central Coast Council Media