Valley goes festive

HEALESVILLE and Yarra Glen were in festival mode on Saturday as the inaugural Healesville Music Festival rocked the Memorial Hall and the third Yarra Glen Festival continued to gather momentum at the racing centre.
HMF president Franc Ruffino said there was overwhelming support for the music festival with the hall packed with people of all ages coming and going throughout the eight-hour event.
“That level of support really goes to show that the town is really ready for a festival again,” he said.
The eclectic mix of bands also proved a success with seven local bands and two well-known and popular visitors welcomed to the stage with equal enthusiasm.
Emily Lubitz, of Tinpan Orange, summed it up. “Who knew,” she said. “I thought Healesville was a sleepy town … look at you all, you’re rockin’,” she teased.
“This is just the beginning,” Mr Ruffino said. “There are lots of good things to come out of this yet.”
Another one-day festival is planned for March next year in the lead-up to a three-day festival some time later in the year.
“It will be something very special for Healesville,” he said.
The Yarra Glen Festival also rocked, a little less loudly, perhaps, but every bit as enthusiastically.
Organiser Mike Baimbridge said that despite the forecast of a wet and cool day, it was all smiles for what truly was a celebration of community.
“The place was filled with music and colour and local dancers, singers and musicians turned it on for an enthusiastic audience,” he said.
Locals and visitors enjoyed the free afternoon, with parents sitting and having a coffee while the young ones took advantage of nearby attractions and activities.
Mr Baimbridge said there was something for everyone, from animal farms and performing dogs, to face painting and rock climbing, through to the puffing and whirring of the historic machinery display.
Local radio broadcast live from the event, helicopter rides went in and out, and community groups and individuals spoke for the National Day of Thanksgiving.
Jon and Lisa Cavell won the door prize of a hot-air balloon ride for two.