Orange Blossom Festival Fun
This past weekend (September 7th and 8th) was busy with The Orange Blossom Festival Fun Night Markets at Castle Hill Showground on Saturday, featuring Emma Memma (the much loved Emma Wiggle) and Dauntless Movement Crew. There were food stalls, rides, and entertainment between 3pm and 9pm.
On Sunday runners will be heading to Bella Vista Farm Park for the annual Run For The Hills. The event is organised by Castle Hill Rotary Club with funds going to various charities. More than 500 people, from serious runners to fun run families aim to tackle one of the three courses from 3.4km to 10.2km. www.runforthehills.com.au
Also on Sunday (8th September) is the popular Kenthurst Fair is running from 10.30am to 3pm starting with a street parade to John Benyon Rotary Park in Kenthurst Road.
Run by the Rotary Club of Kenthurst, it will feature market stalls, rides and entertainment.
The Orange Blossom Festival Art Awards open on Friday, September 13th, 9am to 4pm at the Castle Hill Art Society’s headquarters at Castle Glen Community Centre, Ridgecrop Drive, Castle Hill. The exhibition will be open until Sunday 15th September and closes at 4pm.
Jazz at The Pines is on Sunday 15th September in the grounds of historic Roughly House, Dural from 12.30pm to 4pm. The event is for 55s and over with free entry. Bookings are essential via the via the website orangeblossomfestival.com.au
The Friends of Castle Hill Library are holding a Pop-up book sale at Castle Hill Library on Saturday, September 14th, 9.30am to 3pm.
The fabulous Orange Blossom Festival Parade is returning to Rouse Hill Town Centre on Saturday, 21st September.
There will be community entertainers and performers, as well as the beloved children’s characters, Bluey and her little sister Bingo.
The event will begin at 11 am, featuring hundreds of musicians, dancers, acrobats and performers from groups marching down the Main Street including the Hills District Pipe Band, The Hills SES Unit and the Millenium Marching Band. Free face painting, a Sensory Space in the Secret Garden and a potting workshop will also be available for the young ones, who can also look forward to ‘Bluey’s Live Interactive Experience’.
Dr Peter Gangemi looks forward to the Parade every year, and recognises it as an opportunity for exposure of local artists and community groups:
“The OBF Parade is a wonderful Hills Shire tradition that returned in 2023 with a modern twist, showcasing local dancers, musicians, performers and community groups for a day of family fun.”
The event will be held at Rouse Hill Town Centre on Saturday (21st September) from 11 am to 4 pm. The main streets of the Town Centre may be affected by the parade so visitors are encouraged to travel the Metro or bus network.
OBF TASTE OF WISEMANS will be happening on Sunday, 29th September from 10am to 3pm at Wisemans Park. Taste of Wisemans is an exciting addition to this year’s OBF calendar. The aptly named ‘foodie event’ will showcase the region’s best produce and spirits.
Whilst Wisemans Ferry can often be overlooked within the Shire, locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy burgers, cocktail slushies and craft beers amongst other culinary delights. Live entertainment will also be present, creating an inviting atmosphere near one of NSW’s oldest ferry crossings!
Attendees can also enjoy acoustic performances and roving performers, as well as free activities such as a circus-themed playground, cupcake decorating sessions for the first 500 kids, a petting zoo, face painting, and art activities for the whole family.
The Ferry Artists, a local volunteer-run art gallery, are offering free art sessions for children and adults on the day. The event will be held at Wisemans Ferry Park on Sunday the 29th of September, 10 am to 3 pm. Parking is available at the Wisemans Ferry Boat Ramp Car Park, a twominute walk from Wisemans Ferry Park and will cost $6 for the day.
The Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra will be holding a very special concert on Sunday, 29th September, 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Pioneer Theatre, 14 Pennant St Castle Hill (underneath Castle Hill Library). Tickets are $20 student, $30 concession and $40 adults with Family tickets available. For details visit www.orangeblossomfestival.com.au
Hills Community Aid is holding a Family Fun Day and Open Day at Balcombe Heights Estate on Monday, 30th September from 10am to 1pm.
OBF GARDEN COMPETITION Entries close for this year’s Orange Blossom Festival Garden Competition at 5pm on Friday, 13th September.
The Sydney Hills Garden Competition is run by The Rotary Club of the Hills-Kellyville every year and has a variety of categories for gardeners from small town houses to residential gardens, to gardens of industrial, commercial and retirement complexes.
The competition covers a diverse range of categories for all types of gardeners – even young gardeners in the schools category. Specialty gardens such as cottage, communal and environmentally friendly gardens are also included.
The competition is open to gardens located in the Hills Shire and adjoining parts of the suburbs of North Rocks, Carlingford, Northmead, Winston Hills, Baulkham Hills, West Pennant Hills, Cherrybrook, Glenhaven, Dural, Arcadia, Galston and Glenorie.
Gardens are judged by professional and experienced horticulturists and landscapers. In the past judges have included local gardening gurus Judy Horton, Ross Miller, the late Bruce Pike as well as Horticulturalist Lucia Fowler.
Judging will be held between 16th and 20th September culminating in an Awards Night on Friday 27 th September when award winning gardens and their gardeners will be honored and receive prizes. Entry forms are available at www.hillsgardencomp.org.au or for more information about entering visit www.hillsrotary. org.au or call Keith Stapley on 0412 079 014
The Rotary Club of the Hills- Kellyville has had a long association with gardeners in The Hills, having run the Garden Competition for over 20 years
