Save the date – Orange Blossom Festival
The Hills Shire will be treated to a month-long celebration of food, markets, exhibitions, live music and acts when Orange Blossom Festival (OBF) returns in August.
The community favourite, now in its 47th year, boasts a line-up of events and activities bigger than ever before, keeping locals and visitors entertained week-after-week with rich and vibrant stories of cultural heritage, local achievement and diversity in The Hills.
This year’s OBF will centre on Council’s festival day ‘ZESTFest’ on Sunday 27th August at its new home at historic Bella Vista Farm and be accompanied by an array of associated events held over subsequent days including Voices in Bloom, the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition, OBF Pop-up Markets, The Hills School Expo, The Seniors Dance, SHE Connective Expo, Pawsitive Steps and many more.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Councillor Yvonne Keane said OBF will include everything Hills locals have come to know and love about the cherished event along with some exciting new additions.
“It is a family-friendly event that really showcases the diversity and uniqueness of our vibrant community,” Mayor Keane said.
“For the first time ZESTFest will include a youth zone and feature DJs, break dancing, rock climbing, roving entertainment, rides, giveaways and a special performance by Aussie country music legend Lee Kernaghan.
“Gardening enthusiasts will love the festival’s new Green Thumb Zone where they can discover tips and tricks for creating a thriving garden, learn about conservation from our dedicated Bushcare volunteers and attendees can even take home their very own seedling for their garden.
“OBF promises to be even bigger, so block out Saturday 19th August through to Sunday 24th September in your diary, and start planning a trip to attend an OBF event now.”
Returning to ZESTFest are crowd and tummy pleasing favourites – the food trucks. With more than 15 delicious pop-ups to choose from in the Food Zone, most food cravings can be easily satisfied.
For the lovers of fitness and sport, the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS, Western Sydney Wanderers, Cricket NSW, Netball NSW and many more elite sporting groups will hold workshops and activities to keep attendees active throughout the day.
The search for The Hills next superstar continues with ZESTQuest and festival goers can learn all about the amazing groups that work tirelessly in our region year-round to make The Hills a great place to live, work and play in the Community Grove Zone.
Children haven’t been forgotten in the festivities. They can meet and greet Peppa Pig, Fireman Sam and Pippa the Orange.
Plus, children can go on their very own adventure with the OBF passport challenge, have their faces painted, visit the animal farm, see Healthy Harold, enjoy a book at the pop-up library or learn new acrobatic skills from the Circus Skills Workshop and so much more.
What: Orange Blossom Festival (ZESTFest on Sunday 27th August);
When: 19th August to 24th September 2017;
Where: The Hills Shire;
Website: www.orangeblossomfestival.com.
