Organisers of the Strawberries and Cherries Weekend at Bacchus Marsh hope a tourism grant will help the festival flourish.
Last year, more than 17,000 visitors turned out for the November weekend. With the help of a $4000 grant to be used for staging and marketing, organisers are hoping this year will be bigger and sweeter.
The grant was one of 19 given to country locations where small-scale events engage communities and attract day-trippers and overnight visitors.
Bacchus Marsh Tourism Association chairman David Durham said the “first fruits of spring” weekend was hugely important for tourism in the region.
“Tourism Victoria has been really good to us and the festival is really growing,” he said. “This type of funding keeps the festivals going. Without it, festivals like this one get lost.
“We’re in the planning stages at the moment and there’s a lot of work to be done getting live music, stalls and entertainment organised.”
The weekend celebrates the arrival of the first spring crops, with fresh produce available for purchase as well as ‘pick your own’ activities.
Melton MP Don Nardella said the Bacchus Marsh Strawberries and Cherries Weekend is a big drawcard for the area.
“The festival is an eagerly anticipated event on the Bacchus Marsh calendar,” he said. “Events like these keep our local economy strong. They bring visitors to our region, keeping our motels, shops and cafes busy – and that means jobs.”
Tourism and Major Events minister John Eren said regional Victoria’s events calendar plays a crucial role in keeping the state’s $10.9 billion regional economy healthy.
