The renowned Granny Smith Festival celebrated 40 years as one of Sydney's biggest and most popular street festivals in grand style on Saturday 18 October.
Organised by the City of Ryde, the festival transformed the heart of Eastwood into a huge entertainment zone. The festivities began with up to 1000 local participants joining the Grand Street Parade to kick off the day and more than 500 performers showcasing their talent across six festival stages throughout the day for the major milestone.
Tens of thousands of visitors enjoyed the array of attractions, including performances by 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright and the characters from Kangaroo Beach, the famous apple pie eating competition, amusement rides, market stalls, food trucks, a youth zone, children's activities and the 40 years of Granny Smith Exhibition at Eastwood Library.
After participating in the parade, City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown and Councillors were joined for the official opening by NSW Premier The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale MP, NSW Senator Maria Kovacic MP, State Member for Ryde Jordan Lane MP and Member for Epping Monica Tudehope MP.
"The enduring popularity of the Granny Smith Festival as it marks its 40th anniversary shows how much our community members value this unique event," Mayor Brown said.
"This year's festival has been another great success, ending on a high note with large crowds watching the fabulous performances and fireworks display.
"City of Ryde thanks all our hardworking staff, volunteers and performers and our supportive sponsors, local businesses and stallholders for helping us stage yet another fantastic day honouring the Granny Smith tradition."
Orchardists Maria Ann Smith and her husband Thomas along with their five children settled in Eastwood in the 1850s, where Maria cultivated the renowned Granny Smith apple, eventually inspiring the Granny Smith Festival.
While her apple never became a commercial variety before her death in 1870, it continued to be cultivated by local orchardists and by the end of the century many growers were exhibiting 'Granny Smith's'. It has since become one of the world's most popular eating and cooking apples varieties.
"It was delightful to see a number of the Smiths' descendants again joining the festivities at our Granny Smith Festival, honouring their ancestors' tradition and contribution not only to local life but their far-reaching impact on the apple industry," Mayor Brown said.
