The 2023 Harcourt Applefest is on today, Saturday March 11, will feature more than 50 market stalls, including food, wines, cider, local produce and makers from across the district.
Apple products of all kinds will be available throughout the day.
Entertainment this year includes two main acts including award winning local performer Eliza Hull and the Australian Women’s Choir led by Wendy Stapleton, along with Thompson’s Foundry Band and Harcourt Valley Primary School Choir.
For the first time, Applefest organisers will have a second stage with new and upcoming local acts, plus an appearance from the legendary Jake Kotevski also known as ‘The Dino Man’ with his riveting facts about dinosaurs.
Applefest 2023 is the place for all Dino Lovers to be as children’s entertainment also includes a visit from Toby the Dinosaur! There will also be face painting, story telling and The Connected Circus.
And what would Applefest be without its annual competitions! This year competitions include Cooking, Lego and the Apple Pie Eating competition!
Cook up a storm
How will your wares fare with the members from Harcourt CWA? Test your baking and chutney making skills alongside the region’s best. Applefest has an excellent cookery competition. Apple Pie gets the headlines, but there are also categories for best Apple Cake, Apple Muffins and Apple Chutney and others too. This year there is also a new category Dehydrated Apples.
There is no entry fee, but unlimited glory to be won by both adult and junior bakers. Simply fill in the form on the website and drop your goodies off to the Fruit Growers Tent by 10am on Saturday.
Calling Lego Masters!
The Applefest team have introduced a new two-part Lego Competition this year for builders of all ages. The first section invites Lego Lovers to show their creativity. Categories include: 4 years and Under ‘Duplo Animal’; 5-6 years and Under ‘Lego Animal’; 7-8 years and Under ‘House’; 8-9 years and Under ‘Zip Line’; 10-11 years and Under ‘Robot’; 12-17 years and Under ‘Structure/Construction’; Big Kids Lego Adults ‘Open’.
The second part of the competition is for participants to demonstrate their skill at design by building an Apple Orchard Sculpture. Prizes will be awarded in Primary, Secondary and Adult categories. Entries closed March 8.
Apple Pie Eating
The humble Apple Pie Eating contest is one of the highlights of Applefest and eagerly anticipated by both spectators and contestants. Its messy, it’s fun, it’s ridiculous, but its Harcourt Applefest’s moment of pure light-hearted pleasure. Are there rules? Do we follow them? Come along and find out on the day. Three sections this year Primary, Secondary and Open each with a $1 entry free. To register tick the box as you purchase your $5 tickets for Applefest or simply sign up near the main stage on the day.
