We love autumn festivals, and there’s one coming up that will celebrate our favourite veggie, the potato. Drive 90 minutes away from Melbourne to the tiny town of Trentham and have a feast at The Great Trentham Spudfest. This community festival in the Great Dividing Range is back for its 17th iteration, and will showcase the best offerings and products from the region. You’ll have a spudtacular time with plenty of food, local potato growers, music, artisans, activities and more. Check it out on Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4.
The Great Trentham Spudfest
Saturday
The festival will kick off on Saturday with a street fair. Four main areas around town will be packed with spud food, market stalls, local artisan makers, live music, pony rides, a silent disco and more. You can also take a bus tour, led by Trentham Historical Society, and learn about the heritage-protected Spud Huts. The Spud Olympics will also be in full swing at the old railway tracks, with fun games like spoon races. The street fair will run from 10am to 4pm.
Stick around in the evening and celebrate Celtic music, food and dancing at Spudfest Cèilidh. Put on your dancing shoes and soak in the atmosphere at The Mechanics Trentham. You can bring your own food or order a picnic pack from local traders.
If you want to treat yourself, head to the famous restaurant, Du Fermier, on Saturday night, and enjoy a four-course feast celebrating Trentham spuds. This meal will be prepared by local chef, author and farmer Annie Smithers. Limited spots are available, so book early to avoid missing out.
Sunday
On Sunday, take part in their Discovery Day, and enjoy talks, tours, trails and more. Swing by the Spud Hub in the Town Square for fresh produce and performances.
Embark on a culinary adventure with Spudfeast, and eat your way through the region at venues like Cosmopolitan Hotel, Red Beard Bakery, Hotel Trentham and more.
Join the inaugural Digging Deep: Cooks in Conversation event at The Mechanics Trentham. Listen to TV host and cookbook author Alice Zaslavsky, local chefs Tony Tan and Liam Downs, and moderator Jacinta Parsons chat all things potato.
You can also go on local farm tours and hear from the growers at Fleurs de Lyonville, Walden Park, Mountain View Garlic, Little Hampton Farm, Tuki Trout Farm and Hepburn Gin Distillery.
Otherwise, journey along the self-guided Farm Gate Trail for more fresh produce. Take part in Town Scavenger Hunt, take a tour of historic sites like Trentham Cemetery, join a gnocchi making class and more.
The festival is free to attend, but some special events are ticketed.
Find out more here.