A RELAXING, family-friendly, fun-filled day in an idyllic location is exactly what you will get at the Great Murray River Salami Festival in Euston this November.
After having to cancel the festival for the last two years due to COVID, Euston Club Resort general manager Guy Fielding said there has already been “a bit of a buzz” around this year’s festival, with hopes for a record crowd.
“Similarly to the first two festivals in 2018 and 2019, it’s going to be a relaxed, family fun, community day not just locals, but trying to attract some tourist numbers to town, and showcase what Euston has to offer down on the riverfront,” Mr Fielding told The Guardian.
The main event at the festival is the salami competition, with salami connoisseur James Mele from The Meat Room set to be this year’s head judge. He will be joined by a panel of around 11-12 judges, including celebrity chef Maggie Beer, whose late daughter Saskia was heavily involved in previous festivals.
“We reached out to Maggie and said look, we want to do something on behalf of Saskia because she was very passionate about the festival and she always said that she enjoyed it and loved it and really had a good time when she attended it,” Mr Fielding said.
“So we have dedicated a memorial trophy in her honour, and we are going to get Maggie to present the awards on the day to the competition winners.”
Mr Fielding said the Saskia Beer memorial trophy can only be won by a local entrant. There are three prizes to be won at the competition, with the first being $2000, the second a Cleavers Salumi cabinet valued at $1500 as well as the Saskia Beer memorial trophy, and the third a Casalingo bench top crimper valued at $500.
But the salami competition is not the only thing at the festival.
“We’ve got food stalls, market stalls, food and drink vendors, entertainment, and James actually does a salami making demonstration as well,” Mr Fielding said.
Organisers have been able to secure Elvis, Fleetwood Mac and Back to the 80s tribute shows , as well as other solo entertainers. There will also be an array of kids activities including a jumping castle, face painting, and a petting zoo among other things.
“It is geared towards every age group – it’s a real family day,” Mr Fielding said.
While previous festivals have been held in October, organisers decided to change the date to the second weekend in November this year.
“We think the response will be even better because we are not competing with anything else in the area,” he said.
The Great Murray River Salami Festival is on Saturday, November 12, from 10am to 4pm, with the salami competition judging to take place from 8am to 10am. Entry forms for the salami competition are available on the festival website www.murrayriversalamifestival.com.au, and entries are open until Friday 5pm, November 11. More information about the festival can also be found on the Murray River Salami Festival Facebook page.
