By Kath Gannaway
Spring has sprung and in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges festival folk are shaking off their winter blues and getting into festival mode.
Under the broad heading of ‘festival fun’ you’ll find an event somewhere this spring to tap into your awakened thirst for some of that special festival fun.
Of course, there are the spring racing carnivals at this time of year, but look around and you’ll find festivals that celebrate heritage and culture, comedy, gardens, art, music, environment and just straight out family fun.
Visit the websites below, or give them a call, to put some festival fun into your visit: www.marysvilletourism.com : www.visityarravalley.com.au : www.warrandyte3133 : www.experiencethedandenongs.com.au : www.visitwarburton.com.au
Spring festivities
Tesselar Tulip Festival, Silvan. 14 September to 8 October. Phone 9737 7722 www.tulipfestival.com.au
Upper Yarra Garden Club Open Gardens Festival. 1-2 October. Along the Warburton Highway. Phone 5966 2828. www.upperyarravalleygardenclub.com
Shedfest Wine Festival. 7-8 October. Yarra Valley wineries. www.yarravalleysmallerwineries.com.au
Secret Gardens of the Dandenong Ranges: 12-21 October. www.dandenongrangespoint.com.au
Marysville Jazz and Blues Weekend. 20-22 October. Phone 0477 123 506. www.marysvillejazzandblues.com
Alexandra and District Open Gardens. 28 October. Phone 5772 2287. www.alexandraopengardens.com.au
Spring Racing Festival. November. Yarra Glen Phone 9730 1332 www.country.racing.com : Healesville Phone 0417 380 298 www.healesvilleraces.com.au : Alexandra Phone 5773 4304 www.alexandraraceclub.com.au
Marysville Art Show. 29 October-2 November. Phone 0431 450 160. www.marysvilleartshow.com
Healesville Music Festival. 10-12 November. www.healesvillemusicfestival.com.au
Alexandra Annual Spring Show. 11 November. Phone 0477 002 051. www.alexandrashow.com
EarthArtBeat Festival, Moora Moora, Healesville. 17-19 November. www.earthheart.org.au
