Game on! It's time to reap and relish the autumn harvest in Bungendore.
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Saturday was a delight of the senses in the satellite town, from the sizzle of hot grills to the scent of just-picked produce, the jog and jingle of passing horse and buggy rides to the beats and bass of live music.
At the Gathering Cafe on Gibraltar Street, friends were soon found to be foes while they squared off over squashes and pumpkins in impromptu tournaments of noughts and crosses, or "tic-tac-d'oh!"
The fun and games and all-round goodness of the Bungendore Harvest Festival continues on Sunday with "immersion" tours and tastings at the region's leading providores, cellar doors, farms and eateries.
Some Sunday Harvest Festival highlights include:
- the Affleck Vineyard Art Show for $10 per person with wine and cheese tasting included, 10am to 4pm
- farm tours including at Jerrabatt Gully Organics and Caroola Farm, both $20 per person with children free, both run from 10-11am and 2-3pm bookings essential
- Lark Hill biodynamic vineyard, open cellar tour, 11am-4pm; lunch, noon-3pm
- Contentious Character, local food and wine, 11am-5pm
- The Old Stone House, open gardens, devonshire tea (bookings essential), wine tastings, 11am-5pm
- Aminya organic olive grove farm tour, $15pp (children free, bookings essential), 2.15-4.30pm
- Mamma Rita's farm tour, $20pp (children free, bookings essential), 3-4pm
- Bungendore memorial Hall markets, 9am-2pm
- Timber burl gem displays, Bungendore Wood Works, 9am-5pm
- Harvest thanksgiving service at Bungendore Anglican Church, 9.30am (open air)
- Grazing plate at The Big Green Cup Cafe, $25pp (bookings preferred), 10am-4pm
- Squash and pumpkin noughts and crosses at The Gathering Cafe plus children's craft activities, 11am-4pm
Further afield, there's a workshop on raising animals organically at Wynlen House learning Centre, $175pp (bookings essential); and the Provisions Deli and Grocery on Wallace Street in Braidwood is open 10am-6pm.
After a successful debut in 2017 with 5000 tourists in town, this year has seen an increase of stallholders from 35 last year, to over 60 this weekend.
"This year, we're showing people the final product, and how we actually use our own produce," says festival director Penny Kothe.
"Instead of just buying the groceries, there will be a greater offering of brunch, lunch and dinner options.
"This will give guests the chance to try before they buy, and get ideas for how they can use the produce themselves."
But be quick: bookings close at 10pm, Saturday, March 17.
See southernharvest.org.au/harvest-festival for program times and locations plus bookings.
- the Goulburn Post