August 23, 2016
The Wine & Food In The Park Festival will undergo major changes when it makes its next outing on the second Saturday of March.
After 10 years of dominating the grounds in Kingaroy’s Memorial Park, the festival’s Giant Wine Tent will be gone.
Instead, wineries will be intermingled with food stalls as the South Burnett’s biggest festival moves to reposition itself as a family-oriented eating event.
While many plans are still under development, the festival’s popular cookery competitions could make a comeback after an absence of several years.
The festival’s layout is also expected to undergo a makeover.
And next year, the licensed area will be extended to the front of the main stage so festival-goers can return to getting “up close and personal” with their favourite performers.
The popular event will be celebrating its 18th birthday in 2017, and its volunteer organising committee believe the time has come for an update.
“When Wine & Food In The Park started it was intended as a promotion for the South Burnett’s brand new wine industry,” festival spokesperson Nina Temperton said.
“But fast-forward 18 years and our wineries are all well-established and producing wines that are equal to anything you’ll find anywhere else in Australia, and often better.
“So now we need to look at what else has changed in our region over all those years and bring the festival back in step with what people want today.”
Organisers believe the festival’s biggest strength is that it provides a relaxing autumn day in the park where people can eat, drink responsibly, chat with family and friends, take in the music and simply unwind.
“Wine & Food is a true Aussie day out,” Nina said.
“We’re proud so many school reunions happen at Wine And Food In The Park, and that there are always so many children in the grounds. It’s a happy family-friendly event, and we want to keep it that way.”
Organisers are also looking at ways to give festival-goers better value for their money.
This year the festival was forced to raise its entry price from $15 to $20 to cover the rising costs of insurance, entertainment and security.
Entry fees will still be $20 for over-18s next year, but when guests pass through the gate they’ll be given discount tickets worth up to $10 they can use while they’re in the grounds.
Organisers are also looking at the possibility of introducing $5 tasting plates so guests who don’t want to spend very much can get to try a variety of foods at little cost.
More detailed plans for the 2017 festival are expected to be announced before the end of the year.
