Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival

Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival

For the third year running, the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest will bring warmth and celebration to Tasmania's -apple valley' in a three-day pagan inspired celebration of the apple history of the region. To be held at The Apple Shed in the Huon Valley from 15^th – 17^th July, the festival draws on the traditions from the cider producing regions of south-west England and will beckon visitors from near and far with a perfect melding of irresistible local food, wine, beer and, of course, cider, warming bonfires, mesmerising folk music, dancing and storytelling.

The festival will kick off on the night of Friday 15^th July with Welcome @ Burning Man, when an effigy over 6 metres high will be burned to open the festival and welcome attendees.

The main event takes place on the Saturday night in a salute to the traditional -twelfth night' festivals where the ancient -wassail' ritual was intended to wake up the dormant apple trees, scare away the evil spirits and ensure an abundant cider apple harvest for the coming season. The Australian Morris Dancers; a collection of over 40 Morris Dancers, representing groups from around Australia, will lead the wassail celebrations and set the tone for a memorable evening of fireside celebration.

The 2016 program is jam packed with folk music artists including confirmed headline acts, Annie Lee from the Kransky Sisters and psychedelic, gypsy, prog-rock band, Ungus Ungus Ungus. Annie Lee will treat festival goers to hilarious, regular performances and will bring together local artists for a series of captivating street performances. The full 2016 program is due to be announced in the coming months.

Other festival highlights include a bonfire on Saturday night (16^th July), traditional story telling and workshops, street theatre, art and craft stalls, offerings from the very best local food and beverage producers and of course, plenty of apple cider.

Visitors are invited to get into the spirit of the festival by donning their pagan finery, and in doing so will be in the running to win a share of $2,500 in -best dressed' prizes. Adding to the fun, a small prize will be awarded to every child who dresses up.  

A limited number of first release tickets for the 2016 Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest are on sale now and cost $10 per person on Friday, $20 per person on Saturday and $5 per person on Sunday. A weekend ticket which allows access across all three days is also available for $35 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.huonvalleymidwinterfest.com.au.   

More details of the captivating and evolving program will be announced soon. Stay tuned for more information and expect feasting, fun, warmth and abundance!

The inaugural Huon Valley Mid-winter Festival was held in 2014 at The Apple Shed Museum & Ciderhouse in the Huon Valley, Tasmania. Run by Festival Director, Sam Reid and his team from William Smith & Son's Pty Ltd, makers of Willie Smiths' Organic Cider, the Festival is backed by Dark MOFO, Events Tasmania and the Huon Valley Council.