SCENIC Rim Eat Local Week's signature event is back this Saturday after COVID put the stoppers on the Winter Harvest Festival for two years in a row.
The last time the festival was held was in 2019 when thousands turned up to experience the local produce on display, with cooking demonstrations, market stalls and Scenic Rim goodies including carrot ice cream, beetroot fudge, camel milk gelato and sausages on a stick.
The tractor pull and vegetable-themed fashion parade on the "carrotwalk" are both huge drawcards at the event.
The Winter Harvest Festival traditionally caps off the annual Eat Local Week events and has proven hugely popular.
It will be held at the Aratula Community Sports Complex on Carter Road, Aratula.
Mayor Greg Christensen said it was an honour to showcase the region's fresh food and drink, incredible producers as well as Scenic Rim's resilient community.
"We are thrilled to be welcoming revelers to the festival after a two-year hiatus," he said.
"The Winter Harvest Festival will be the cherry on top of this year's bumper Eat Local Week program. The whole region is looking stunning, the weather forecast is looking great, and we have the best-ever line-up of stall-holders and entertainment, ready to host a fantastic day out for the whole family."
Mayor Christensen said gates would open at 10am, with more than 40 Scenic Rim stallholders spotlighting local produce including bakery goods, ice cream, fruit and vegetables, meat and local alcohols.
He said more than 12,000 people attended the event in 2019 and organisers expected to top that number this year.
Division 6 Councillor Duncan McInnes said that the Winter Harvest Festival truly has something for everyone.
"From tasting tables to food trucks, rustic bars overflowing with beer, wine and spirits, a fashion on the field competition, cooking demonstrations, live music, kids' entertainment, and the always-competitive Bendigo Bank Kalbar & District Community Bank Tractor Pull event testing people-power against a 12-tonne tractor," he said.
"The Winter Harvest Festival brings the best of the Scenic Rim's local producers, suppliers, retailers and chefs together for an excellent celebration of our region and I look forward to showcasing Aratula and the Scenic Rim to both locals and visitors next weekend."
Entry costs $10 per person, with no charge for children under 12.
For more information and tickets visit www.eatlocalweek.com.au
