A dedicated group of parent volunteers from Harcourt Valley Primary School have been busy baking a record number of apple pies for the school’s annual major fundraiser. The baking sessions have created a space for the parents to connect, talk and process the recent bushfires. Thanks to generous donations from Bendigo Foodshare, Backpack for a Firefighter, La Manna Supermarkets, Lauke Flour Mills, Hillcrest Orchard and the tireless work of the volunteers, 650 pies will be available for purchase at tomorrow’s Applefest.
Michael Henry, Henry of Harcourt
Just two months ago, our town of Harcourt was reeling. The January 9 bushfires tore through our valley, claiming 54 homes, devastating the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store, and leaving scars on properties like my own orchard at Henry of Harcourt. In those dark days, as we gathered at the Leisure Centre hub sharing meals and supporting neighbours who had lost everything, the idea of celebration felt distant.
But Harcourt is not a town that stays down for long.
On Saturday, March 7, from 10 am to 4 pm at James Park, the 2026 Harcourt Applefest will return, and it’s doing so ‘bigger and better than ever before.’
This year, the festival carries a deeper meaning. It’s not just about apples, though there will be plenty of toffee apples, apple pies, and local cider to go around. It’s about something far more significant: community recovery.
The theme for 2026, officially embraced by organisers, is ‘coming together, supporting one another and helping the Harcourt community recover.’ Half of the ticket sales will be going directly to support the Harcourt community.
What to Expect
The day will feature all the beloved traditions: the bustling Applefest Market with local produce and crafts, entertainment on the Main Stage, the crowning of Applefest royalty, and the gloriously messy apple pie eating contest. With the new permanent stage in James Park slated to be finished in time, it means we can have a second stage in Stanley Park, doubling the acts.
Entertainment is headlined by the Australian Women’s Choir, followed by the much-loved Solaris Dance Collective Dancers, King Stone, and Skyscraper Dan, with plenty of other local talent on display throughout the day.
Art and cookery competitions will showcase local talent, and a Lego competition promises fun for the younger crowd.
This year carries an extra layer of meaning. Businesses that were defending the town just weeks ago are now ready to welcome you. The Harcourt General Store (run by Annette, one of our earliest relief stalwarts), Woop Woop Gardens (Judy’s beloved spot), Rodilesa Nursery, and my own Henry of Harcourt cidery are all open. The Victorian Miniature Railway, which literally split the fire in two and saved the heart of Harcourt, will be running and is very much part of our rebirth.
More Than a Festival
In the weeks since the fire, our community has shown what resilience looks like. The relief hub at the Leisure Centre has distributed countless meals and essentials. Tania and her team at the distribution centre have worked tirelessly to ensure affected families feel supported. The HPA’s GoFundMe has surpassed $300,000, and government support is flowing. But Applefest represents something different: it’s our invitation to you. It’s the moment we collectively say, “We’re still here, we’re open, and we’d love to see you.”
As I’ve said before, there’s no need to rebuild the community because the community was never broken. The spirit was always there, in the CFA volunteers who fought the flames while losing their own homes, in the neighbours who showed up with trucks to move hay, in the 450 scoops of ice cream donated by a business owner who’d just evacuated .
On March 7, we invite you to experience that spirit firsthand. Come for the apples, stay for the music, and leave knowing you’ve supported a community that refuses to be defined by disaster.
Harcourt is back. And frankly, we can’t wait to see you.Event Details:What: Harcourt Applefest 2026
When: Saturday, March 7, 10am–4pmWhere: James Park, Harcourt
Cost: $10 adults, kids free
More info: Follow Harcourt Applefest on social media
Michael Henry is the owner of Henry of Harcourt cidery and a lead coordinator with the Harcourt Bushfire Relief Group.
See today’s Mail for more Applefest happenings.