HUNDREDS of people from all over the region and beyond gathered at Robinvale to view the kilometres of almond trees that are now in full bloom.
While Sunday’s annual Mallee Almond Blossom Festival took place approximately 15 kilometres away from the orchards, visitors were still able to view the almond blossoms via a bus tour.
As hundreds filled the festival grounds at the Robinvale Community Arts Centre and the bus tours to the orchards were booked out, festival committee member Connie Chirchiglia said this year’s festival was a success.
“This year’s would have to be one of the most successful festivals we’ve had,” she said.
“The festival has started to grow again after it was cancelled for two years due to COVID-19 in 2021 and 2023.”
This year, the festival featured a bake-off as contestants made their best almond desserts.
There were several stalls from local businesses and organisations as well as entertainment for children and beyond.
“We try to have a lot of entertainment and free entertainment for the kids as well as live music to get the people up and dancing,” Ms Chirchiglia said.
Mallee almond producer Select Harvests’ Tracy Rosenzweig said that the festival started in their orchard 15 years ago.
“It was just a stall in front of our orchard,” she said.
“It’s now grown so big, and attracts people from so many different places.”
