Strawberries & Cherries Weekend Bacchus Marsh

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Posted 2014-11-15 by Jen ⇒ follow

Sat 22 Nov 2014 - Sun 23 Nov 2014

Let's face it, Bacchus Marsh is not a place that comes immediately to mind when we think of something to do on the weekend. Located almost at the centre point between the City of Melbourne and Ballarat it's around 40 minutes to the Naturipe Fruits Farm from Melbourne City and about an hours drive for me coming from the South Eastern burbs. The V-Link trains will also get you to Bacchus Marsh in less than 50 minutes from Southern Cross train station . Having met the locals, the farmers and the business owners and enjoyed their produce, I am certainly curious to go back for the weekend to immerse myself in all that Bacchus Marsh has to offer. Were it not for an unexpected phone call that took me back to the city, I had originally planned on checking out the place for the day. No worries, I'll be back Bacchus Marsh!

The annual Strawberries & Cherries weekend which generally attracts more than 13,000 people takes place in November each year. In its 8th year it's being celebrated on the 22nd and 23rd November 2014 from 10am to 5pm daily with music and fireworks (fireworks at 9.15pm) scheduled for the Saturday (22 Nov) from 5pm to around 10pm at Maddingly Park . Entry is via the Taverner street entrance and will cost you a gold coin donation. CLICK HERE for the event program and trail map (your event passport).

Win the ultimate experience with your 'event passport' in hand. It's free to enter. All you need to do is use the entry form on the back cover and visit the 'Event Locations' and ask for a Trail Stamp. The more stamps you collect, the closer you are to winning. You don't have to purchase a product to get a stamp. Don't forget to leave your completed entry form at the last Trail stop by 5pm Sunday!. This is a game of skill and no correspondence will be entered into.

There is a free event service from 9.30am to 5.30pm on both days via a free shuttle bus thanks to Bacchus Marsh Coaches that will pick up and drop off at various trail stops and will run every 30 mins or so depending on traffic. Check your event program for details of all the local growers you can visit (don't forget to collect trail stamps from those participating), for places to eat out, shopping venues to visit and for heritage and craft sectors and more to explore.

Some of the highlights in the town centre are the mini fire engine rides, free face painting at the Telstra countrywide booth, balloon art, bubble blowing and kid's entertainment plus Ulla the chalk artist . Keep in mind that some activities are ticketed or requires a gold coin donation and check the program for the dates and timeframes for the entertainment you want to attend. There will be entertainers galore like Fireman Sam and Strawberry Shortcake to name a few and a petting zoo, theatre tours, embroiderers and quilts exhibitions, pony, horse carriage and orchard train rides to enjoy. Don't forget the 'live' music and entertainment scattered around various trail stops and timeframes so work out an itinerary so you don't miss out on all that you want to experience for the weekend. Lots of fun to be had by the family as you explore this lovely town.

While you're busy having so much fun and having your event passport stamped, keep in mind that you're in it to win the ultimate experience valued at over $1500 that includes a 2 nights stay in a deluxe ensuite cabin thanks to Bacchus Marsh Caravan Park . You'll find out the prize does not stop there when you check out your event program booklet .

On a serious note, this event is an opportunity for farmers to give the people an understanding of their farms, how it comes from land to hand and to promote their produce. It also gives the wider community a chance to showcase their local dining and retail offerings. Both Naturipe and Payne's Orchards will offer pick-your-own cherries and Jeff Jones Plants and Produce will offer freshly picked and packed cherries. Naturipe will also offer pick your own strawberries and the annual pip spitting competition will be held at Jeff Jones Plants and Produce. Other farms involved include The Fruits of Life and Bacchus Marsh Seedling Farm.

I would say the media launch was a resounding success with good food, good wine and good people. David Durham who is the Chairman and President of the Bacchus Marsh Tourism Association which was formed 7 or 8 years ago by local businesses is as passionate about promoting his home ground as he is his family farm Naturipe Fruits . This town certainly understands the value of being cohesive and working together as a community. The 40 acres of the Naturipe Fruit farm only closes in the winter for 5 or 6 months when they concentrate on maintenance, fertilising and planting. With everything done by hand I was surprised to learn all these rows of beautiful strawberries was the hard work of around 10 workers on the farm. However, for the lovely jam they sell on the premises, he does farm out the making of it to a lady in Daylesford who has an industrial kitchen.

I next spoke to Graeme Payne of Payne's Orchards who grows cherries, apples and other stone fruit. Originally out of East Burwood and now on this 50 year old property he says it is the walk-ins, and the asian and european tourists who help keep them going. He reckons he is but a mere farmer (I think theres more than meets the eye) and that he has a biologically identical twin brother who developed the number one cherry grader in the world .

I missed out on going to the Baby Black Espresso Bar at 10 Church street because of the phone call and we had to race back. If the cakes they had was anything to go by, I can't wait to taste their coffee or have a meal there. Julia is their pastry chef who makes the most scrumptious vegan cakes when she's not busy with her other duties. Owners Julia and Matt have been in the business 7 years and pride themselves in using local produce and making food fresh on the premises.

Jenny and Bruno from Bacchus Hill Winery tried to convince me this was their sea-change. Both of them came from legal backgrounds and now work 8 days a week (yep, you heard me) at what they're passionate about. They also raise their own goats, pigs and chicken which naturally produce their own eggs and have a veggie garden to boot. Why you may ask. To supply their restaurant Le Repaire de Bacchus with fresh produce that their son a qualified chef magically turns into European, Italian and French food.

The owners of Micky Bz Sharon and Michael were not there but they were well represented by Jennie who made sure there was plenty on offer on the plates and relayed that they were famous for their scones, quiches and good coffee. I didn't get a chance to chat to Angelo's Bakery who was also there at the launch.

Introductions were made by Tina from the Bacchus Marsh Tourism Association and Mayor Paul Tatchell spoke passionately about Bacchus Marsh and it's farming community and the importance of agriculture. How self sustaining agriculture needs to form an integral part of the strategy as to how farming goes forth for the future of jobs, our lives and our children. He acknowledged the retailers that brings life to Bacchus Marsh and applauded the Tourism Association for working hard at bringing awareness to people as to what the Moorabool Shire was all about. He then went on to present them with a $27,000 cheque from the shire. There were other VIP guests as well as members of the Liberal and Labour party at the launch and once the speeches were done, the prizes and cheque handed out, it was time to eat, drink and be merry. Visit Bacchus Marsh on this Strawberries & Cherries weekend knowing that this lovely location ranked 3rd in a national survey as one of the best places for families to live in Regional Australia. The only other Victorian Central Highlands localities to make the top 100 rankings were Ballarat (47) and one of its suburbs – Alfredton (71).