What is “goodness”? Is it like “attractiveness” or “tastiness” or “weirdness” – hard to define but you know it when you see it, eat it, feel it? There’s a day each year at CERES, more than any other, when you walk around and the overwhelming feeling is “goodness”. This day is CERES Harvest Festival and maybe it feels “good” because Harvest tries to reflect the selfless, endless giving of Nature.
Harvest Festival is the day CERES says thanks to our good earth for the water we drink, the food we eat, the fibre we wear and for the farmers, the cooks and the makers who work with it. Part of the goodness of Harvest Festival is that it’s a bit corny and unselfconscious; people grow and make things and share what they – like the bakers in the cake competition (that’s the cakes and the CWA judges in action above), like the jam and pickle makers and the giant vegetable growers showing off their big gourds.
This will be the first year we’ve called on vegetable growers to bring in their outsized produce and to celebrate the occasion we’ve invited special guest, Penelope Swales from the band Totally Gourdgeous, to play her gourds and talk about turning humble garden variety cucurbits into beautiful musical instruments.
There are a couple of launches too; the CERES Bee Group have been itching like a day old bee sting to unveil their new observation and education hive – they’re also bringing honey to taste. And the Tamil Feast crew are launching their new signature range of Chai which there’ll be plenty of to try out.
Plus you’ll find free food workshops to learn from, farm animals to commune with, our favourite musicians to fill your ears, talented face-painters, serious food stalls to fill up on and a harvest makers market to delight you with homemade wares.
A word to the wise – cake judging will take place from 11am with winners announced at 12pm. Cake eating will commence soon after.
So, if you’ve had too much world news feed and need something for your overwhelmed and battered heart – then come give some thanks at CERES and fill your gumboots with goodness.
CERES Harvest Festival Saturday 25th March 10am-3pm CERES Brunswick East.
