A HOST of events throughout the region have benefited from strong attendance in recent days, as the region celebrated the King’s Birthday extended break in style.
Returning for the first time since 2019, the King Valley’s Weekend Fit for a King festival made a major splash, with hundreds of tourists and locals taking in the tastes, sights and smells of eight venues throughout the region on Saturday and Sunday.
Despite chilly weather prevailing and minor flooding throughout parts of the region, Pizzini event coordinator Lou Way said visitors had turned out in force to the event, which included Pizzini's traditional long lunch on Saturday which drew a crowd of 160.
“It was fabulous, it was super exciting to have Weekend Fit for a King back – it’s the first year post-COVID that the festival’s happened and it was brilliant to see lots of happy people milling around,” she said.
“Even though the weather wasn’t super toasty, they all rugged up and came out and enjoyed some wine and food and lots of fun times.
“There was a little bit of misty rain at one point (on Saturday) but it didn’t deter anyone – they had their warm jackets on and they still had a blast of a time and it didn’t seem to faze them at all so it was lovely.
“It was a lovely mix (of attendees) – there were plenty of visitors from Melbourne and further afield and then plenty of locals who managed to come out, and we’re expecting hopefully quite a few more locals today (Sunday).”
Other major events throughout the weekend included the Rotary Clubs of Wangaratta’s Book Fair, which drew a strong crowd of literacy lovers keen to find a bargain, as well as Glenrowan’s own Trails, Tastings and Tales food and wine festival, which will continue today.
Ms Way said it was pleasing to see so many people returning to the region over the busy long weekend.
She said early indications from the participating venues had been largely positive.
“It looked like there were a few people coming through and it was really lovely to see them moving around through the participating venues,” she said.
“It’s just so wonderful to be able to have people back for the festival and to be able to showcase the wine and food and produce (of the region).
“We now have a gin distillery (Hurdle Creek Still) participating so it’s really just amazing to showcase what we do well up here and really show off that warm King Valley hospitality."
