The Kilsyth Festival and Craft Fair makes its return this Sunday 26 November, looking to be even bigger and better than the hugely successful event in 2022.
It will again happen in the beautiful Elizabeth Bridge Reserve on Durham Road Kilsyth, including the Bridge House gardens, with the craft fair in the Japara Living and Learning Centre just across the road – so there will be plenty to see and do.
The festival is run by the Kilsyth Community Action Group and Friends of Elizabeth Bridge Reserve in conjunction with Japara, with the benefit of a generous community grant from Yarra Ranges Council.
Organising committee chair Mike O’Meara says it was decided to stage the event later this year to give people an opportunity to pick up some early Christmas bargains.
“In fact there’s a rumour that a special Christmas guest will be dropping in at around 3.30pm, so excitement is building!”
There will be an even greater range of stalls and things to see this year, which will occupy a bigger area of the Reserve than in the past.
“It’s a great way for locals and visitors alike to enjoy what this wonderful environment has to offer,” Mike said.
Over 70 stalls will offer everything from crafts, workshops, clothing, fitness, community service, and activities for the children to join in. Montrose CFA will bring their fire truck.
There will be pony rides and a wildlife display will give the opportunity to touch and hold a wide range of animals as well as to learn more about our fauna.
Meanwhile, on the entertainment front, the fabulous Ruccis Circus group will be back with their daring aerial act, and the ‘Showtime Spectacular’ centre stage will feature talented local artists, including West African drummer, Kofi, the Yarra Valley Singers, Woody’s Ukulele World, Street Dance Studio and much more.
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.
