Liam McNally
Preparations are underway for the second oldest festival in the country to return to the Wombat State Forest, with the 121st Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival billed for April 8.
The winner of Moorabool Shire’s Community Event of the Year 2023 will have all of its renowned attractions – the street Street Parade filled with striking costumes and floats, accompanied by a brass band, will make its way from the town centre down to the Lerderderg River and the Blackwood Recreation Reserve.
The reserve, dubbed “the prettiest sportsground in Victoria” is where the Carnival and
Woodchop will take place.
The Blackwood Woodchop is one of the oldest woodchopping competitions in
Victoria, with axemen and women travelling from across the state to compete for the
coveted titles and prize money.
The Carnival is action-packed, with tug-o-war, gumboot throwing, a pet show, and to honour Blackwood’s gold-mining history, there is the chance to try your hand at gold-panning.
There’s live music, market stalls, food and licenced bars, and for kids there’s the treasure hunt, novelty games and races, face-painting and more.
The event is organised by the Blackwood Progress Association with proceeds from ticket sales going to support numerous community groups.
Blackwood Progress Association President Brendan Hehir said Blackwood is a self-reliant community that has become good at providing not only their own service but their own fun.
“So we’ve become really good at hosting visitors,” he said.
“To me this feels like something I can be involved in that carries on the blackwood tradition of being fine hosts.
“Come to Victoria’s prettiest sports ground, in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by rivers and hills for an immersive day of old school sports and music. What could be more fun?”
