This Saturday, 15 October Phillips Gardens will become a hive of activity as residents, new and old come, together to for the Goldfields Community Festival.
The Festival, which will run from 11am to 4pm, will feature music, art, games, rides, information and activities, and was developed in direct response to local families seeking more free family orientated activities in Central Goldfields.
Maryborough District Health Service will also host a First Nations tent with activities and yarning circle. A Dja Dja Wurrung Elder will perform a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony to open the festival at 11am.
Committee for Maryborough Executive Officer and Festival Coordinator Kerrie Dowling said excitement is building for the day, which will have something for the whole family.
"We'll have a climbing wall, laser tag tent, face painting, plenty of delicious food and information marquees set up- all of which will be free.
"There will be tents and displays from Maryborough Garden Club, Supported Playgroups, Maryborough Field Naturalists, Maternal and Child Health, the 32 hour Challenge, The Nest and FReeZA.
"Our community groups have really gotten behind the festival and it's great we will have so many clubs and groups represented on the day."
Go Goldfields is the initiator and major sponsor of the festival and has partnered with the Committee for Maryborough and Maryborough Rotary to deliver the inaugural event.
Go Goldfields Manager Carolyn Bartholomeusz said it will be a great day out for the whole family.
"This event is about being able to come together and connecting after COVID. It's also about offering a free event for families in the Shire.
"I encourage anyone, young and old to head down to Phillips Gardens this Saturday for the Goldfields Community Festival.'
The community bus will also be doing free pick-ups from Carisbrook, Talbot and Dunolly to ensure anyone and everyone can head along to the festival.
Local residents Cheryle, Ruben and Audrey Vanland made the winning contribution to the Go Goldfields naming competition with the name 'Goldfields Community Festival – Connect and Celebrate' and will have a special VIP tent at the event. The festival logo also features Silver Wattle, Mana Gum and Wheat, which all hold local meaning.
The Festival is supported by the Victorian Government, Go Goldfields, Committee for Maryborough, Maryborough Rotary, Central Goldfields Shire Council, Maryborough District Health Service, and Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud.
