Autumnfest: Healesville’s Big Day Out

The Autumn solstice is always a bit “iffy” in terms of the weather and this year was no exception. A few days ago we had gale force winds, heavy rain and cool temperatures. However, those who worked the weather magic smiled on Autumnfest again this year, and gave us the most pleasant day possible.

Plenty of delicious gourmet food & drink

All the hard work, months of preparation and organisation paid off with our best Autumnfest yet- possibly 2000 visitors over the course of the day. There was a wonderful ambience and sense of community under the century old oak trees of Coronation park as individuals and families came together to enjoy the various activities, glorious food, talks, performances, demonstrations and opportunities to share information and knowledge. Our photos show some of the day’s activities.

Luna's veggies were popular

The crowd enjoyed the Irish Dancing

The goats received lots of loving

Mmmm! Pure Olivetto Oil

 

During the day we met and chatted to dozens of people and were lucky enough to meet several readers of our blog. Everyone we spoke to, seemed to be enjoying the day and gave positive feedback and happy responses. Thank you to all helpers, participants and visitors for joining in and making it such a successful and special event.

There was great interest in our Permaculture Tours

Hopefully it will all be happening again next year close to the Autumn equinox in March. If you want to join in as a stallholder or volunteer or just be kept informed about the event, keep an eye on this blog or send us an email (tenderbreak@bigpond.com) and we will add you to our mailing list.

 

Winsome's Crepes & waffles went well with Yarra Coffee

Hmmm! Which apple shall we choose?

Pete the Permie had plenty of advice about fruit trees

Suzann and Paul demonstrated their skills

Skipping Stones Circus skills for youngsters



Tour of Tenderbreak Permaculture Farm on Sunday April 7

If you happen to be near the Yarra Valley on April 7 we are holding a tour of our property in the afternoon. Tours cost $15 and bookings are required. Email us for more information.

Healesville Autumnfest 2013

HEALESVILLE AUTUMNFEST

Saturday, 23rd March, 2013

Healesville Autumnfest 2013 is going to bigger and better than ever. With over 40 stalls and displays there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Our regular market stalls are famous for their organic locally grown food and they will be joined by others selling an even wider range of fresh local produce. There will be tastings of various heritage apples and if you discover a variety that really appeals you can even buy a potted tree so you can grow it yourself. Apart from produce there will be stalls selling clothes, wooden toys, wooden furniture, jewellery, preserves, woollen products, soaps, natural body products, seeds, books and lots more.

There will be plenty of entertainment for all ages. The Healesville Music Festival has a line up of local acts on its stage and Skipping Stones Dance is running a series of activities called “Adventure  Fun - Circus, Dance & Ephemeral Art” for children. There will be milking goats to pet and Edd or Amanda will be happy to answer any questions about these friendly animals. Emily will be there again doing delightful and creative face painting, but you’ll have to be quick because she had a queue all day last year.

As the event is organised by Permaculture Yarra Valley there will be plenty of information about Permaculture and topics related to sustainability. There will even be a demonstration Permaculture Garden in the Community Garden area. 

 

A program of talks will include a talk about Edible Weeds by local author Doris Pozzi, and you can purchase her book if you wish. Other topics of talks include Seed Saving, Designing a Permaculture Garden, Climate Change, Tenderbreak Permaculture Farm and Propagating your own Plants (along with a propagating activity for children). Many community groups will also be setting up displays to demonstrate their fantastic work.

There will be a number of stalls selling yummy organic food to eat, so forget breakfast and lunch and enjoy a meal of fresh, locally made food under the shade of the gorgeous Coronation Park trees. 

Autumnfest is sponsored by Permaculture Yarra Valley and Yarra Ranges Council and entry is free.  Email autumnfest2013@gmail.com  for more information. If you happen to be in the locality we would love to see you there.

A Very Busy Day at the Harvest Festival

We were all a bit concerned about what the weather would offer for Autumnfest this year.  On the day before there was definitely a touch of winter about as cooler temperatures and rain settled in (parts of Victoria were even expecting a dusting of snow). However, those who worked the weather magic smiled on Autumnfest, and gave us a cloudy but pleasant day.


The local Seed savers Group answered plenty of queries

The cloudy conditions did not deter the one thousand plus visitors that joined us in celebrating the event. There was a real buzz and community feel to the day as individuals and families enjoyed the various activities, glorious food, talks, performances, demonstrations and opportunities to share information and knowledge. Our photos show some of the day’s activities.

There was plenty to chat about.

Some gave Zumba a go

Others joined the Labyrinth dancing

After the exercise it was time to enjoy some food

Emily the face painter was popular

Tim and Mike supplied freshly juiced organic drinks

Travis was busy all day baking wood fired pizzas

The Medieval games added a touch of history

During the day we met and chatted to dozens of people and were lucky enough to meet several readers of our blog. Everyone we spoke to, seemed to be enjoying the day and gave positive feedback and happy responses. Thank you to all helpers, participants and visitors for joining in and making it such a successful and special event.

Edd and Amanda's goats were a real hit with young and old

Of course it will all be happening again next year in March. If you want to join in as a stallholder or volunteer or just be kept informed about the event, keep an eye on this blog or send us an email (tenderbreak@bigpond.com) and we will add you to our mailing list.

Healesville Autumnfest 2012 on Saturday March 24

The autumn equinox is almost upon us, and that means another big harvest celebration in Healesville on Saturday March 24. As was the case last year, the event also celebrates the first birthday of the magnificent Healesville Labyrinth. 

Tenderbreak Permaculture Farm Stall

This year for Autumnfest we have lined up a continuous program of free entertainment, talks, informative displays, art and craft demonstrations and stalls selling good organic tucker for one and all. Here are some of the highlights from the program:-

SUSTAINABILITY TALKS & DISPLAYS

Learn about Alternative Technology

There will be plenty to learn about on the day: seed saving, permaculture, local plants, environmental issues, solar and other alternative energy and more. We hope to power our sound system using a portable solar system setup.

MEDIEVAL TROUPE

A medieval troupe will entertain and run activities for children. Swords and chain mail will be on display in this interactive fun for kids of all ages.

Patricia and her "Chookmobile"

PERFORMANCES
Performances include music by Murray Goodchild, Michael Arvanitakis, Zumba, flute playing by Rich Eagle Evans and a mass choir performance.

LABYRINTH ACTIVITIES

Fun on the Labyrinth

Apart from walks around the Labyrinth there will be dancing, singing and a parade. For a peek at the Labyrinth website see http://healesvillelabyrinth.org.au .

FOOD STALLS

"Crunchy Love" Wood-fired Pizza

Food stalls will include wood -fired  pizzas, freshly squeezed organic juices and other delectable foods as well as chai tea, organic coffee, Mexican hot chocolate and more. Bring your friends and tell your neighbours. Come along, enjoy the festival, say hello to us at the Tenderbreak stall and eat with your friends under the shade of the old oak trees.

Hats for all occasions

HISTORICAL RAILWAY RIDES
Yarra Valley Tourist Railway will be running rides to Tarrawarra Tunnel along the old historical railway track.

WHERE

Autumnfest is located outside the old Healesville Railway Station in the Railway Park.

Plenty of stalls

Seed Savers will be there

MUSIC FESTIVAL
March 24 will be a huge day in Healesville because Healesville Music Festival is also being held on this day. Both events have free entry and dovetail into each other. Autumnfest runs from 9am to 3pm and the Musical Festival continues the celebration on into the evening.

Hope to see you at Healesville Autumnfest 2012

HEALESVILLE AUTUMNFEST IS OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR

All the planning and hard work was rewarded by perfect weather and a beautiful and very successful day with over 2000 folk turning up.

Crunchy Love Mobile Woodfired Pizza - YUM!

Zaar Belly Dancers

Edible Weeds from  Hello Little Weed

The moonlight walk was magical

Seed Savers

Solarquip had all the up to date info about alternative energy

Autumnfest had a huge “growth spurt” this year. It has matured into a celebration of the wonderful community that exists in Healesville and the Yarra Valley and is a result of the cooperation, help & support of hundreds of people. It aims to promote a healthier food supply system, display the work of community groups, showcase local talent, raise awareness of future alternatives & possibilities and of course to provide a pleasurable day of activities for everyone to enjoy. The highlight was the grand opening of the magnificent Healesville Labyrinth.

The "Smoking Ceremony" to open the Labyrinth

During the day we spoke to hundreds of people and were delighted by the positive feedback and happy responses. Thank you to all participants and all the visitors for helping to make it a lovely and special event. The photos show some of the day’s activities.

The colorful scarf run

Tenderbreak's colourful stall

The best news of all is that it will all be happening again next year on March 24. If you want to join in as a stallholder or volunteer or just be kept informed about the event, keep an eye on this blog or send us an email and we will add you to our mailing list.

Autumnfest and the Labyrinth Opening on Saturday, March 19

A few months ago we mentioned that we are once again involved in Healesville Organic Farmer’s Market’s Autumnfest. This year’s event will be bigger than ever because it is combined with the opening of THE BRAND NEW Healesville labyrinth. For a peek at the concept plan see http://www.healesvillelabyrinth.org.au .

March 19 will be a huge day in Healesville because Healesville Music Festival is also being held on this day. Both events have free entry and we are hoping to have a shuttle bus available to ferry people between the venues.

There will be a variety of entertainment, informative displays, art and craft demonstrations and stalls selling good tucker for one and all from 9am through to 4pm.  Apart from an expanded organic produce market, there will be many other stalls selling/displaying eco friendly products and some that focus on domestic animals such as goats, pigs and chooks.

SUSTAINABILITY TALKS & DISPLAYS

There will be plenty to learn about on the day: edible weeds, permaculture, local plants, heritage fruits, solar energy, bee keeping and more.

MEDIEVAL TROUPE
Days of Knights will dance, hold tug of war competitions and have craft activities children. Swords and chain mail will be on display in this interactive fun for kids of all ages.

CHILL OUT TENT
The Chill out tent will provide a shady space to sit and connect with others. Songwriter’s and Poet’s Breakfast from 9am provides an opportunity for aspiring writers, poets and musicians to share their words with a supportive audience.

PERFORMANCES
Performances include music composed for and inspired by the labyrinth, ZAAR tribal bellydancing and a mass choir performance.

Autumnfest is located outside the old Healesville Railway Station. Food stalls will include pizzas, barbequed free range pork sausages, and other delectable foods as well as chai tea, organic coffee, Mexican hot chocolate and more. Bring your friends and tell your neighbours. Come along, enjoy the festival, say hello to us and eat with your friends at the market.
PS: Photos were taken at previous Autumnfests