Tarnagulla Strictly Vintage Fair 30 September – 1 October
Published on 15 September 2017
The sights and sounds of Tarnagulla’s gold-rush era history will come alive during the town’s Strictly Vintage Fair on 30 September to 1 October as part of the 2017 Naturally Loddon Spring Festival.
Celebrating the town’s rich past dating back to the Sandy Creek diggings of the 1850s, the Strictly Vintage Fair brings people to the town from interstate and even internationally.
“The weekend has proven to be very popular,” President of the Loddon Southern Development and Tourism Committee Dot Silke said.
“There is nothing similar to the Tarnagulla Strictly Vintage Fair around at all – it is an event that is unique to Tarnagulla.”
Set against the backdrop of Tarnagulla’s historic gold-rush era buildings, the Strictly Vintage Fair promises a full weekend of entertainment.
From 1pm on the Saturday, Tarnagulla’s Victoria Theatre will play host to a history display all weekend, providing glimpses of life as far back as the 1800s through historic papers, documents and photos.
Returning this year for the Strictly Vintage Fair will be the popular High Tea, starting at 1pm on the Saturday in the stunning Victoria Theatre supper room.
Catered locally, the occasion includes all the trappings you would expect from a traditional High Tea – exquisite cup and saucer sets, silver teapots, three-tiered cake stands.
Queen Victoria will once again grace the event with her presence, and along with the timeless music of the harp, will provide the perfect setting for the High Tea.
“This will be the fourth year we have held the High Tea, and the attendance has been growing each year, with last year exceeding all expectations. This event links in well with the history display.” Mrs Silke said.
“Queen Victoria was a big drawcard last year, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Queen back to the High Tea this year.”
Both days will also see a vintage teddy bear display at Victoria Theatre, featuring bears dating back to the 1920s.
On Sunday, the teddy bear display will move to Soldiers Memorial Park for the Teddy Bears Picnic, which will feature stories as well as the chance to have your historic teddy bear dated.
Sunday’s activities will also include vintage fashion parades (11am and 1pm in the Soldiers Memorial Park), Sandy Creek Clydesdales historic town tours, swing band, food, coffee and self-guided cemetery tours.
“There will also be vintage stalls with plenty of goods on display as well as an historic town walk on Saturday at 1pm,” Mrs Silke said.
“Matilda’s of Tarnagulla vintage shop will be open both days, as will tours of the shop’s garden for the very first time.”
The Tarnagulla Strictly Vintage Fair has been made possible thanks to Inglewood & Districts Community Bank Branch and Loddon Shire Council.
To find out more about the Tarnagulla Strictly Vintage Fair, contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5494 3489 or visit http://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Lists/Events/Naturally-Loddon-Tarnagulla-Strictly-Vintage-Fair
Running from early September until the 28 October, the Naturally Loddon Spring Festival features 15 family-friendly events spread across the Shire. To obtain a festival brochure, phone the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 3489 or visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au.