Inglewood Alive

Published on 31 October 2018

Crowd numbers look set to balloon again – weather permitting – when the seventh annual “Inglewood Alive” festival fills the streets with noise and jostling colours.

Planned for Sunday 4 November, the event is a kaleidoscope of fashion, food and family fun, with first-time features this year including blues and roots performers from Bendigo, tractor trekkers rumbling into town and veteran cyclists sweeping along nearby roads.

Secretary of the organising committee Suzi Birthisel said the 10-member group had been working on the event for the past 12 months.

“Popular attractions from last year returning for 2018 include the Wimmera Axemen’s Association woodchop competition, the free children’s precinct and the vintage and classic cars and motorbikes that fill Brooke Street for the Show and Shine,” she said.

“Bendigo’s Swordcraft group will be back, dressed in their regalia, showing something of what they do with their medieval war games.

“New this year will be a vintage tractor trek into town from Rheola’s recreation reserve, fire safety demonstrations by the CFA and a criterium road race put on by the Central Victorian Veterans Cycling Club.

“This time, we’ll have over 60 market stalls, half of which are new, and the street will be brightened up by yarn bombing, thanks to the efforts of a number of Inglewood’s crafty local residents.

“We’ll have four different musical acts coming from the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival, which actually starts the following weekend, the Blue Eucy Museum will be open, there’ll be karate demonstrations and a photographic exhibition showcasing the efforts of local primary school children.

“A real focus for us is promoting our local clubs and organisations, with at least 10 of those groups involved with stalls and fund-raising efforts.

“The historical society, for example, is providing information on the town’s origins, while the bowling club is hosting a ‘come and try’ day.”

Novel food vendors expected to take part include a Texas BBQ smokehouse operation from Melbourne offering American spare ribs and pulled pork burgers, Turkish street food and hand-made ice cream.

Newcomers include The Salami Shack, Bendigo Brittle’s eye-catching peanut confectionary cart, “Roll with the bears” and their slow-cooked pork, lamb and beef rolls and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” food van, selling hot filled pitas.

“Inglewood Alive” runs from 9.30am to 4pm, with the garage sales operating between 9am and 1pm.

For further details, phone Suzi Birthisel on 0408 103 518 or the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5494 3489.