LAUNCHED in 2015 to coincide with the city’s bicentenary celebrations, the Bathurst Winter Festival has since became one of the most highly anticipated annual events in the region.
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It all starts on Saturday, when the CBD is transformed for the festival’s first big event – Ignite the Night.
Scents of regionally sourced food and beverages will fill the air, while the ice rink, ferris wheel, house of mirrors and illuminations will also be in full swing.
Local musicians and artists will also be providing entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.
O’Connell-based Renzaglia Wines, which has been to every single festival, will have an assortment of shiraz, cabernet and chardonnay on offer at the Edible Alley and at the Garden Bar and mulled wine in Machattie Park.
Owner Mark Renzaglia said the festival is a great initiative by Bathurst Regional Council.
“We’re really excited for this year,” he said.
“We want people to go down to Machattie Park, to the Garden Bar, and come have a look.
“The festival has been an excellent initiative. When it was first proposed, we all wondered how it was going to work, in the middle of the winter and in the cold, but it’s been really great.”
Bathurst-based Big Daddy’s Woodfire Pizza will also be returning for a fourth festival and Robyn Christensen, who co-owns the business alongside Rex Christensen, said Saturday should be a great occasion.
“Hours have been extended this year, so I think that will allow people to enjoy their dinner longer,” she said.
“We really love the festival and we hope everyone else comes out, rugs up and enjoys the cold.”
While Ms Christensen said the first night of the festival is always a great occasion, she’s actually never had a good chance to check everything out due to the popularity of Big Daddy’s.
Ignite the Night will run from midday to 9pm.
Cirkus Surreal from Kelso High Campus will be performing, children can meet Baloo, Mowgli and friends from the Jungle Book and there will be ice skating performances at 4.45pm, 5.45pm and 6.45pm.
Entry to the festival is completely free.
