THE Swan Hill Region Food & Wine Festival went ahead on Saturday despite the scorching heat, with thousands of people streaming through the gates with chairs, picnic blankets and supplies for the day.
Starting the day off was the first heat of the grape stomping completion, involving three teams of three.
Two stompers and a receiver, to make sure as much juice as possible is collected, had 90 seconds to make as much grape juice as possible using their bare feet.
Many first timers were a little surprised by the sensation of grapes under foot.
Out-of-towners Harrison Wauchope, Archie Williamson and Rylan Hill took out the grand final, with the group of 17-year-olds very excited by their victory.
Councillor Ann Young said that it was a really good event and many years ago she made jams and sauces for sale at the festival.
“I haven’t done that for quite a few years now,” Cr Young said.
“The crowd here today is amazing and they have come from everywhere. I have been talking to a group that have come up from Geelong.
“With so many local products here, it gives them an opportunity to showcase their products and wares to a wide audience.
“The best part about it is that everyone has a good time.”
There was entertainment spread right around the village including face painting for the children as well as the Pyap running river cruisers.
Swan Hill mayor Sturt King said the festival is always a great event showcasing produce from around the region.
“Bringing a lot of local producers of beer, wine, distilleries together it’s always great for an event like this to be held inside the Pioneer Settlement,” Cr King said.
“It brings a real atmosphere and a real vibe to the location.
“People also come to visit family and friends over the long weekend and they take the opportunity to get out and about and have a good time.”
Music on the main stage got underway with Mildura band Serious Fun early in the afternoon.
Popular local band Code 5 then warmed up the crowd for the headliner, Spiderbait, with the large crowd singing along to their many popular hits.
Code 5 front man Joe Dorigo said that it was great honour to be invited back to the festival.
“The crowd was massive and even with the heat, they came out and it just shows that when Swan Hill puts on an event, people support it,” Mr Dorigo said.
“We have been playing together for about 12 years now and we have been performing the songs that people grew up with and that they love, the 80s and 90s.
“That is the sort of music that people love to sing along to and it never gets old.”
Swan Hill Inc Marketing Coordinator, Remi Maher, said the festival was a great success and organisers were pleased with the strong turnout.
“With the 40-degree weather we were a bit worried, but it seems like the community really got around the event and we have been very happy with the day,” Ms Maher said.
“It seems word is starting to spread around Australia which is really good, we are very pleased about that.
“When you hear that people are coming from all over Australia it’s really great.”
