The humble spud will be the main attraction at an event that is expected to draw people from far and wide to Trentham later this year – but the groundwork needs to be done now.
Organisers of the 11th annual Trentham Spudfest are seeking about 100 volunteers to help get the event rolling in time for the May spectacular.
Committee spokesperson Peter Young said the event celebrated and promoted Trentham potato farming, which dates back to the 1860s and the gold rush era.
Mr Young said the success of the event was heavily dependent on support of volunteers to organise and run it – and turning up to support its vendors, town businesses and associated events.
“Many hands make light work,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun, community spirit and camaraderie not to mention a lot of laughs.”
Previous Spudfests have been mainly single location affairs, most recently in the town’s Quarry Street Reserve Park.
But this year’s festival will include spuddy activities all around town, including in the two main retail streets, the village square and railway station. Tours of local farms will also make a return.
“It started small and has evolved into a whole-village event,” Mr Young said.
“It’s a tremendous tribute to the spirit of this town. The main purpose is to help put the town on the map.
“It was created to engender local pride in its history and culture … it does that in spades.”
Surplus funds raised at the event have also helped fund a La Trobe University Bendigo agribusiness scholarship for a local rural community student.
Details: trenthamspudfest.org.au
