By Liam McNally
As the countdown commences to the annual Strawberry and Cherry festival, organisers are grappling with the prospect this might be the final event, with a shortage of sponsorship, staffing and volunteers threatening the popular festival’s future.
Organiser Felicity Ashman said this year’s festival in Bacchus Marsh was set to forge ahead after two years of COVID lockdowns, but next year might prove a very different story.
“Each year, the Strawberry and Cherry Festival sees around 40,000 people attend across the two and half-day event, with many travelling from Melbourne and other regions to experience all that’s on offer,” she said.
“It’s a boon for Bacchus Marsh, showcasing the beauty and liveability of the region while injecting much-needed funds into the local economy.”
Ms Ashman said she was thrilled to see the festival return in 2022, with a host of great events slated to delight attendees across the three-day period.
But the long-term future of the event is far less certain, due to a shortage of volunteers and sponsors.
Ms Ashman said that losing this event will have “real impact” locally.
“Traditionally, people have really got behind this event, but this year we’re really struggling,” she said.
“We would love to have more volunteers put their hands up to assist and we would certainly welcome more sponsorship for the event.”
Visitors often choose to stay locally in the region, Ms Ashman noted in the past around 10 per cent of attendees and stall holders had booked accommodation for the three days of the festival.
“The Strawberry and Cherry Festival is an annual opportunity to really showcase this region and as a great community and a stunning tourism destination,” she said.
This year’s event will run from the evening of November 18 to the afternoon of November 20.
Over the three days there will be a range of events, including stalls, live music, fireworks, food, entertainment, and fruit picking.
“We’re committed to creating a spectacular festival in 2022,” Ms Ashman said.
“But the reality is, if we can’t get community support via volunteers and sponsorship, this could be the end of the line for one of the region’s most popular annual events.”
Details: www.urbanmarkets.com.au/strawberries
