Bowral is known primarily for two things: for being the childhood home of Sir Donald Bradman, and for the annual
Tulip Time Festival. Although the Don’s innings ended several years ago, the festival will make it to 49 not out on the 24th of September, when this year’s edition begins.
The main item on the
program will be the
Grand Floral Display. For the entire fortnight that Tulip Time is running, Corbett Gardens will be the scene of some gorgeous flower arrangements. Opening hours will be 9am to 4pm, with a Talk and Tour commencing at 11.30am. Admission will be $8 for adults and $5 for concession (and free for under-13s).
The
Street Parade on the 26th of September promises to be another highlight. Marching bands, floats, fire engines and classic cars will make their way down Bong Bong Street, along with the Sydney Cycling Club, following the completion of its
Ride for a Reason fundraising trip. And the special guest will be none other than
Bryce Courtenay, the acclaimed author who will be acting as the official 2009 Tulip Time Ambassador, and who must surely be Bowral’s most famous current resident.
But the highlights don’t end there. On the 25th of September, a free
Breakfast in the Park will be served in Corbett Gardens, from where Steve Jacobs will do a live weather broadcast for the
Today show. On the following night, the
Gala Charity Dinner will be taking place in nearby Mittagong; on the 26th and 27th, the
House & Garden Fair will be showcasing its wares; while from the 3rd to the 5th of October, the
Fresh Food & Wine Street Fair will be running in Corbett Gardens. As well, some of the
best private gardens in the shire will be open throughout the festival.
