Month of Winterfest to brighten Garfield

Dual objectives are behind a new community event - Heritage Winterfest - to be staged at Garfield.

A local organisation, Friends of Garfield, formed earlier this year is driving the initiative that will run throughout August.

Secretary Kate Everett said the purpose was to brighten up the town “that can become a bit dreary during winter” and uncover and recognise the Garfield area’s history and heritage.

Ms Everett said the group was happy to have copies made of old photographs and documents found in “the bottom drawer” to include in memorabilia businesses in the town will be displaying throughout the month.

The businesses are also looking at installing coloured lighting and bunting to further brighten to shopping area.

High on Ms Everett’s “like to have list” are photographs related to a racecourse that apparently operated on the site of the current recreation reserve from the early 1900s to the 1920s.

Organisation is already well advanced for a couple of Winterfest events, a “bush poets’ arvo” and antiques market.

The poetry session will be in the historic former Garfield picture theatre from 1-3.30 p.m. on Saturday, August 1.

There’ll also be musical entertainment by popular local singer Pat Wakefield.

Garfield community centre at the recreation reserve will host the antiques market on Sunday, August 9, with all stalls under cover.

People can bring their own valuables, but no stamp or coin collections, to be appraised by valuer David Freeman for a cost of $5 per item. The market will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’ll be music and historical displays during the day, Bunyip-Garfield Rotary Club will operate a barbecue and there’ll also be canteen snacks and drinks available.

Ms Everett said organisers would welcome any other groups or clubs in the town to join in and stage Winterfest events of their own during August.

Further information is available from Ms Everett on 5629 1147 or the president Denise Smithwick on 0428 542 097.