A special staging of the Kilsyth Festival happens this Sunday when it celebrates its 10th birthday between 10am and 4pm at the beautiful Elizabeth Bridge Reserve in Durham Road, Kilsyth.
What started out as a small group of local craftspeople and traders brought together by the Friends of Elizabeth Bridge Reserve with the support of Yarra Ranges Council, the festival has become a significant annual event for Kilsyth and the surrounding community.
A founding organiser, Shelley Large, said although it has grown since it began in 2014, it has still managed to keep that feel of a village fair that locals have come to love.
“Each year there have been more things for people to enjoy, but basically we just want visitors to the Reserve to mingle in a relaxed family environment. The rising attendance, especially since Covid, tells us we are doing something right,” she said.
In a period of cost of living concerns, the free event is timed to give people an opportunity to pick up some early Christmas bargains.
There will be an even greater range of stalls and activities this year, and they will be spread more widely throughout the Reserve, so there is plenty for families to explore.
“It’s a great way for everyone to discover what this wonderful environment has to offer and don’t forget to look out for the Eastern Long Neck Turtles which the original festival was named after, because they breed in the Reserve’s lakes,” Shelley said.
Over 70 stalls will offer everything from crafts, workshops, clothing, fitness, plus community service information. There will be plenty for the kids to get involved in, from face painting to football, pony rides, as well as games and wildlife in the garden of the fabulous Japara Bridge house!
You can also expect to see Mr Chelodina Turtle, Captain Koala, and of course Santa will be dropping in.
Throughout the whole day there will be sensational entertainment for all, including well-known favourites Ruccis Circus group with their daring aerial act, and West African drummer, Kofi. There will be singers, bands, Irish dancing, and a dog obedience demonstration.
If all of this makes you a bit hungry or thirsty, there will be plenty of food and refreshment stalls to make sure everyone is satisfied.
There is plenty of parking available, including the car park at 150 Cambridge Road (the former school site). Anyone who is driving in the area at the time is asked to be particularly mindful of pedestrian traffic.
