ADVERTISING FEATURE
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On Sunday May 5, 2019, thousands of people are expected to make their way to the village of Collector, NSW, for the annual Pumpkin Festival.
Over 16,000 people attended last year, and local farmers nearby will be opening their paddocks to allow for plenty of parking.
Organisers believe the key to the event's success is making it family oriented with lots of free activities for everyone.
First run in 2003, the festival has grown to become one of the largest one-day community events in the country and has become famous for its wonderful food, great entertainment, amazing market stalls and all things pumpkin.
"You just can't beat pumpkin soup and pumpkin scones on a crisp autumn day in Collector", says event coordinator Gary Poile.
"Each year we introduce new events and activities to the Pumpkin Festival, but that wonderful aroma of home-grown pumpkins being cooked in so many different ways will always set our festival apart from the others," he added.
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LOTS TO DO
Among the new features in 2019 will be the art display at the Historic Collector Uniting Church, and a new area alongside the church for food, music and entertainment.
Free pony rides, a rescue dogs demonstration, working sheep dogs and even a cow milking demonstration will feature at this year's event.
Another feature is Pumpkin Joe's Tiny Tots Pumpkin Patch, a special play area for the little ones only. Children under 105cm will have fun on a free jumping castle and their very own mini hay bale maze to play in, while face painting and balloon art will be available for a small fee.
Other activities include pumpkin rolling, wheel barrow races, the giant hay bale maze and the scare crow building event.
You will also find a variety of free activities such as pumpkin themed board games, farm animal petting paddock, rock climbing wall and mechanical bull ride.
For those with a little less energy to spare, a stroll through the other historic stone built churches in Collector may be in order where they will find exhibitions of treasured quilts and a wealth of local information and historical publications.
The main attraction each year is the Giant Pumpkin competition and display. Named in honour of one of the festival's original stalwarts, the Joe Medway Memorial Pumpkin Competition attracts entrants from all over as growers bid for the honour of exhibiting the champion pumpkin and winning the $500 first prize.
Another feature this year will be a special marquee alongside the Pumpkin Square to display the decorated, carved and unusual pumpkins as well as pumpkin cooking and baking competitions including the very prestigious Kathleen Webster Memorial Pumpkin Scone Competition.
FOOD AND GIFTS
With Mother's Day just around the corner, the Collector Village Pumpkin Festival offers one of the widest range of homemade and unique gift markets in the region.
The Made in Collector market area will feature stalls with local produce and a variety of home-crafted gifts and goodies.
Meanwhile, lining the main festival precinct will be over 120 specialist stalls that have been carefully chosen to ensure that the widest range of excellent products and quality gifts are on offer. Get a special gift for mum or maybe treat yourself.
Visitors to the festival are also guaranteed to have their taste buds tantalized by treats like pumpkin scones, pumpkin pies, pumpkin soup, gourmet pumpkin pizzas and even pumpkin ice cream. You will also find traditional Aussie barbeques, food stalls with international flavours and freshly-ground coffee to tempt you.
ENTERTAINMENT
Another special highlight of the festival is the entertainment schedule.
The festival starts with a traditional march past by the Goulburn Soldiers Pipes and Drums Band at 10am, followed by a performance by the children from the Collector Public School.
The entertainment then continues with two stages offering live performances all day. Visitors will be treated to performances by Pat Drummond, Karren Lynne and performers from the Goulburn Conservatorium of Music.
Ex-Hooley Dooley performer Ant1 the Musician will provide free performances for the children on the mini stage near the Collector Uniting Church and will be supported by our special guest buskers from the NSW South Coast, Libby and Peter; the LP Duo.