By Bonny Burrows
Upper Beaconsfield’s Village Festival is back bigger and better than ever.
The community event, which stemmed from the devastating February 2009 bushfires and has since become an annual celebration of community spirit, returns this Sunday 18 February with all the favourites and some new attractions.
The iconic fun run has been given a bit of a makeover, and is now called the Tough Tower Fun Run. The run this year has an early start time of 8.30am and a choice of one or two laps to cater for runners of all abilities.
Festival committee member Michelle Greenshields said already it was shaping up to be a popular event, especially with a $500 prize up for grabs to those community groups who enter the post participants.
“We’ve already got as nearly many entrants as last year and most people sign up on the morning. It’s going to be huge,” Ms Greenshields said.
“But it’s going to be a challenge – it’s a pretty tough track, really hilly.”
The popular art exhibition will again feature this year, as too will plenty of live music, children’s ride and market stalls.
“We’ve got loads of new stalls, some really nice food stalls. I’d say this event will be bigger,” Ms Greenshields said.
“We’ll have vintage cars, puppetry storytelling is new this year, and Citizen of the Year Malcolm Graham will officially open the festival.
“It’s going to be a great day out for all the family.”
The day’s celebrations will also include raffles, an animal nursery and reptile display.
Entry to the event is free, but children can purchase a $10 wristband for unlimited rides during the day.
The 2018 Upper Beaconsfield Festival will be held at the Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre 10-12 Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield.
The fun run kicks off at 8.30am with festival activities beginning at 9am and concluding at 3pm.
More information, including a calendar of events, is at www.ubvillagefest.org.au.
