By DEAN LAWSON

Preparations for a Horsham ‘150’ celebration in February next year are underway as event organisers across the region explore projects to help communities emerge from COVID-19 restrictions.

Horsham Agricultural Society, determined to reinvigorate Wimmera events culture under ‘new normal’ circumstances, is working towards a 150km Feast event at its Maydale Reserve.

The society is planning everything around a 150 theme for the under-the-stars outdoor dining and entertainment experience, with catering for 150 patrons, a 150-minute free drinks package and 150 metres of free camping. Tickets at $150 will even go on sale 150 days before the event.

Critically, 150km Feast, which will overlook the Wimmera River in the reserve’s ‘back paddock’, will source ingredients and services from a 150-kilometre radius of Horsham. 

Four regional chefs will use the products to prepare the ‘feast’.

Society executive administrator Andrea Cross said the event would be designed to fit in with guidelines resulting from this year’s COVID-19 pandemic.

“Much of what we’re doing is about adapting to change while celebrating what we grow and produce in the region,” she said.

“We want to be adaptive so we can continue to provide something for our people.

“It will be timely to do something like this, if circumstances allow it, because we need events and activities that lift our spirits and give us something to look forward to.”

The event will feature a five-course meal, live music and an auction to raise money for the society’s Maydale Reserve Improvement Project. Guests will also receive gifts.

Back on our feet

Mrs Cross said while the event was designed to help lift spirits, from a practical business point of view the society needed to start looking forward. “We’ve been in a COVID-induced coma and we need to look at getting back on our feet,” she said.

“As an event centre it all came to a screaming halt. We’ve had to cancel our annual show, weddings – many things and we need to catch up. We need to survive just like everyone else. We must look at what we can do, not what we can’t do. 

“We are acutely aware that we need society to get back on its feet and need to come out strongly when the opportunity presents itself.

“The reality is as an agricultural organisation we’re intrinsically connected to our broader community and our events reflect our culture and society. What better way to show this off than to showcase the food we grow?” 

Mrs Cross said the society would confirm a date for 150km Feast on the lifting of more restrictions.

Research suggests event cancellations across the Wimmera and southern Mallee between March and May cost the region more than $23-million.

The entire July 8, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!