Diary Notes
Late April/May 2008
Shakespeare on the River Festival, Stratford, 23 April – 4 May
This colourful community festival, at Stratford on the Avon River in Gippsland kicks off on Shakespeare’s birthday - 23 April -and continues for two eventful weeks. Activities include theatrical productions, cabaret performances and a village fair.
Inquiries: 03 5145 6571 or go to www.stratfordshakespeare.com.au
Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, 29 April - 1 May
Over 35,000 spectators will join in the excitement at one of Australia’s popular regional racing carnivals, located in Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road. Warrnambool Racing Club will be buzzing with horse racing action, trackside fashion and activities for the whole family. The highlights of the meet are the Grand Annual Steeplechase, covering over 5500m and 33 jumps and the Warrnambool Cup.
Inquiries: call 03 5562 2211 or visit www.warrnamboolracing.com.au
Melbourne Jazz International Festival, 29 April – 4 May
Melbourne’s river precinct will become the jazz heart of the city with a spectacular array of ticketed and free concerts by many fine international and Australian jazz artists. Enjoy a wide selection of jazz styles, including Latin, blues and gospel. Melbourne will come alive with music to enchant all jazz lovers.
Inquiries: call 03 9820 3699 or visit www.melbournejazz.com
Kellybrook Cider Festival, Yarra Valley Park 3 – 4 May
Fancy a real cider? Don’t miss the 19th annual Kellybrook Cider Festival, celebrating cider and all things west of England. Enjoy live music, morris dancing and cider making demonstrations. Have a traditional ploughman’s or squire’s lunch followed by some tempting apple based desserts. To whet the palate, try a refreshing sparkling draught cider, fresh apple juice and Kellybrook Winery’s full range of wine and apple brandy.
Inquiries: call 03 9722 1304
Puffing Billy Steam Railway Great Train Race, Dandenong Ranges, 4 May
Now in its 27th year, the annual Great Train Race is one of Australia’s most unusual and challenging fun runs. Each year, thousands of runners race against Puffing Billy to see if they can beat Australia’s famous historic steam train. The colourful course is 13.2 kilometres long and competitors run through the picturesque Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Emerald Lake.
Inquiries: call 03 9757 0775 or visit www.puffingbilly.com.au/info/specials
Grampians Grape Escape, 3 - 4 May
Now in its 17th year, the Grampians Grape Escape is an exciting weekend getaway and a great opportunity for wine lovers and foodies to sample the flavours of this delicious region. Visitors can drink and graze around the temporary village which features views of the Grampians National Park as a backdrop. Regional producers from all over Western Victoria will showcase their products alongside local wineries. A lively mix of live entertainment will add colour to the event.
Inquiries: visit www.grampiansgrapeescape.com.au
Bright Autumn Festival, 26 April – 11 May 2008
This two-week annual festival is held in Victoria’s North East and uses the autumn colours of the region as a central theme. The 2008 festival will feature the Gala Day Parade on Saturday 3 May, open gardens, winery tours, arts, crafts and antiques, art exhibition and a fun family day five kilometre bike ride with free barbecue lunch.
Inquiries: visit www.brightautumnfestival.org.au
The Great Ocean Road International Marathon, 17 – 18 May
The Great Ocean Road Marathon provides the most spectacular and challenging course of any marathon in the world and is aimed at runners and walkers of all abilities. Residents of the Greater City of Geelong are eligible for the major prize, a trip to Japan Senshu.
Inquiries: call 03 5224 2466 or visit www.greatoceanroadmarathon.com.au
Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival, Melbourne, 17 – 18 May
Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival is an annual event which celebrates Melbourne’s religious diversity and multicultural society. Running over two days, the colourful festival is held at Federation Square and commemorates the birth of Buddha and promotes cooperation, community understanding and harmony in the community. Ceremonies include ‘Bathing of the Buddha’, daily Dharma ceremonies, the Wishing Bell, a vegetarian culinary tour along the River Terrace, dance performances and children’s games.
Inquiries: call 03 9314 5147 or visit www.bliav.org.au/festival
Beechworth Harvest Celebration, 18 May
Showcasing the diversity and quality of Beechworth’s local produce, the Beechworth Harvest Celebration is held annually on the third weekend in May. It brings together local food and wine producers under a marquee in the main street in town, with lots of local produce to taste and buy. From 11am to 5pm, celebrate the end of the harvest with wine workshops, street entertainment, cooking displays, competitions and food art. Beechworth is in north-east Victoria, approximately three-and-a-half hours’ drive from Melbourne.
Inquiries: visit www.beechworth.com/harvest
32nd Historic Winton, 24 - 25 May
Australia’s largest and most popular all-historic motor race meeting presents two action-packed days of non-stop racing featuring over 400 historic racing cars and motorbikes from the 1920s to the 1980s. Held at Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, Victoria
Inquiries: call Noel Wilcox on 03 5428 2689 or visit www.historicwinton.org