Imagine a glorious winter Farmers’ Market combined with the ultimate Farm Gate experience. Got it?
Now – mark your diary for Saturday 1 July, because that’s when this combination will happen!
And then, add music and a world famous Tractor Pulling Competition!
It is the Scenic Rim celebrated in one glorious, flavour-filled day, and everyone is invited!
Signature Event
Winter Harvest Festival is the signature event of Eat Local Month, where Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Chefs join growers, producers and flavour-makers in celebrating where food comes from.
There’s demonstrations, produce stalls to wander, tasting stations to graze and the World Famous Tractor Pull (will the butchers take the title again in 2023?).
New this year is the Producer Stage with a focus on the growers and producers of the region sharing their stories, from carrot farmers to cheese makers, mushroom producers to dairy farmers and more.
Beverages
For lovers of a tipple, a visit to the Winter Harvest Festival means coming face to face with the world’s best Brandy!
Judged just last month at the London Spirits Competition, the winner was Tamborine Mountain Distillery’s Apricot Brandy, beating more than 4000 submissions from over 80 countries.
It also means tasting the Scenic Rim Brewery’s newest addition – the Ripa Rita, a beer starring local beetroot from Valley Pride Produce and Rosellas from Vanbery Jam Co.
While there, taste the Beauy & Blue, a spiced pumpkin ale made from famous Beaudesert Blue pumpkins (ah, the penny drops).
Cheese lovers should head to the Summer Land Camels stall for their Camel Milk Marinated Persian Feta which won Gold at the 2023 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Show.
Something Sweet
Yes, there will be Carrot Ice-cream!
This delicious creation of Moffatts Fresh Produce will be available at their stall.
Just as sweet and healthy is Ungermann Brothers Gourmet Ice Cream which is handmade and created from natural fruits and flavours.
Chokola’j, a small batch chocolate and confectionery business will be there showcasing their products.
Chokola’j use locally sourced produce to create roasted macadamia and lemon myrtle chocolate bars, Dried Olive chocolate bars, honeycomb, macadamia brittle.
Areleah Chocolates will have Rocky Road, fudge, peanut brittle, coconut ice, rainbow jellies, freckles and more.
Just for Ewe
Towri Sheep Cheeses will have their unique Ewe+3 cheese and award-winning Black Sheep, Eweghurt, Moo and Eweghurt, Baar Jar, Moo and Baar Jar and Sheep Milk Soaps.
Take Home a Chook
If you want to take home a laying hen or a day old chick, drop in to see the folk at Heritage Poultry.
They also have all you need to create your own chicken coop.
Tractor Pull
The Tractor Pulling Competition is a show-stopping moment.
The competition pits teams against a 12-tonne tractor – who will clock the fastest time and be crowned 2023 champion?
The local team of butchers headed by The Butcher Co’s Kane Lutter currently holds the title and have since 2016.
Will they once again triumph over the Kalfresh carrot farmers or will the veggie growers rise up.
Or will a new untried team cause a major upset? This event is 100% pure entertainment … and any team can enter!
Bring an empty esky (or three!), pack the kids (it’s a fantastic family event), gather the crew, and prepare for the ultimate farm gate, and an absolute overload of country hospitality!
The 2023 Winter Harvest Festival is on Saturday 1 July from 10am to 4pm at Aratula Sports Complex, Carter Road, Aratula.
Cost is $15 for adults, children under 12 free.
Bookings can be made through the Eat Local Month website www.eatlocalmonth.com.au
