Where the wildlings are – Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival Family Fun Day

Image Credit: Natalie Mendham

Circus school and flower crown making, dancing and singing – all part of the festival fun!

As if the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival wasn’t colourful enough, Sunday’s family day will provide parents with plenty of options to keep the kids happy and hip.

From yoga and a social circus, to Maypole dancing, their own Wassail to the apple trees and an interactive imaginarium cubby called the Hideout, there is entertainment to engage all ages on the final day of the festival.

Festival Organiser Krystal Cox said the range of kid’s activities on offer this year was the best in the festival’s five-year history.

“So many families attend the relaxed Sunday and each year it’s wonderful to see the children embrace the spirit of the festival, exploring and discovering the region’s apple heritage,” Krystal says.

“It’s really important to encourage the next generation to be aware of the importance of our land and what we can grow from it.”

The focus of the festival is, of course, wassailing which more than fifty Morris dancers will lead.

“The children join in the Wassail celebration with singing and loud banging of pots and pans and shouting. They’re then encouraged to create shapes out of bread slices to hang on the apple trees to feed the birds – guardians of the apple trees” said Krystal.

Dressing up is highly encouraged, with prizes on offer including $500 for the Best Family, with $250 for runner-up.

Another big drawcard this year is Sydney band The Vegetable Plot, who use the power of music and storytelling to encourage children to eat healthy vegetables instead of sugary junk food.

“It’s thyme to get fresh, throw your root down, and twist and sprout with the funkiest kids band in Australia,” the band spruiks.

KIDS HIGHLIGHTS
Children’s Wassail
• Led by 50+ Morris dancers from around Australia, this is the kids chance to sing for the health of apple trees and scare away evil spirits.
Children’s Maypole Dance
• The English tradition led by Trish Williams, Maypole Dance leader
Hide Out
• An imaginarium devoted to discovery and interactive fun. A collaboration from artist Sara Wright of Silverlinings Projects and artist and independent curator Lisa Campbell-Smith.
Circus
• Running outside, all day long thanks to Social Circus Tasmania
Headline Act: The Vegetable Plot
• This kid’s focused Sydney band will take the main stage, singing all about veggies
Children’s Storytelling
• MACq 01 Master storyteller Justin Johnstone and Tamas Oszvald will be recounting tales in the Storytelling Tent and children will also have a chance to record their own stories in the Wayfinder Mobile Storytelling Studio
Fancy Dress Prize Giving
• On the main stage: $500 for the Best Family, with $250 for runner-up!
Flower Crown Workshops*
• With Kristy McDowell Mrs Florist
Yoga
• Salute to the sun for all ages taken by Heather Lamoure
Face painting*
• Colourful fun by Face the Paints
*Paid activities, additional to entry price

A full program of festivities is available at www.huonvalleymidwinterfest.com.au/program/
Elyse Barnett, Marketing Manager