Celebrating 20 years of Hurstbridge Wattle Festival
by Hurstbridge Wattle Festival
19th August 2024
Hurstbridge Wattle Festival celebrates 20 years in 2024, with a huge celebration planned.
Held Sunday, August 25, 10am – 4pm, the annual festival signals springtime in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and is a free, family-friendly event, guaranteed to have something for everyone to enjoy.
Hurstbridge Wattle Festival brings meaning to the term Community Festival.
It happens because of the ongoing commitment of almost every community group in Hurstbridge.
“I have been volunteering on the Wattle Festival organising committee for 20 years, and it’s amazing to see how it has grown in 20 years.” says Festival Coordinator, Carol Jenkinson.
The keynote event of the festival is the Steam Train, which runs between Hurstbridge and Eltham throughout the day.
The train line extension between Eltham to Hurstbridge railway station opened on June 25, 1912.
When it opened, it was proposed to hold a banquet.
However, due to uncertainty of opening date, a luncheon for adults and a picnic for the children was arranged instead.
In honour of this, Hurstbridge Wattle Festival began in 2004 as a picnic.
A nod to the history of the Hurstbridge train line, and historically being a popular place for families to come orchard picking as a day trip out of Melbourne.
Fast forward to 2024, a packed program of music and activities will span 1km of the main streets of Hurstbridge.
The festival has a focus on supporting local traders, small businesses within Nillumbik and surrounds.
This includes prioritising Nillumbik based businesses in the over 200 stallholder market areas. It includes working alongside the majority of Hurstbridge community organisations, as well as opportunities for community organisations from Wattle Glen, Panton Hill, Arthurs Creek and Cottles Bridge to be involved.
Famously promoted as the festival with something for everyone, it includes:
- Live music by local young people and established local musicians
- Youth BMX, skate and scooter competitions
- Dog obstacle course
- BMX Show and Shine
- Camel rides
- An array of vintage cars
- The famous Wattle Witches performances; and
- Sell out CWA scones.
There is limited parking in Hurstbridge.
Even if you are local, we encourage you to ride, or catch one of the free festival busses from Mernda, Diamond Creek or Wattle Glen stations.
Hurstbridge Wattle Festival is proudly supported by Nillumbik Shire Council, Bendigo Bank and Jaybro Group.
Further information about the festival and the full program can be found at https://www.wattlefestival.org.au
Follow the festival on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hurstbridgewattlefestival
Instagram: @hurstbridgewattlefestival
