Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival Unveils Epic 2017 Program

Tasmania's beloved Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival will return to Willie Smith’s Apple Shed this July with a massive program that boasts a wealth of mouth-watering local produce, some of the countries finest acts and so much more.

The 2017 program - set to transform the region into “a mesmerising, magical utopia” from 14 – 16 July – is expected the push the festival to new horizons with last year’s event exceeding attendance expectations.

Friday night’s opening ceremony will kick off in style with The Resurrection Of The Sun, which features the burning of a nine-meter high wooden man, as well as Indigenous programming and Indigenous storytelling, while the ‘main event’ (the wassail) will be held on the Saturday.

Saturday will also see the return of a Storytelling Slam with eight storytellers “with fire in their bellies” telling a seven-minute tale each.

“The energy in the Storytelling Tent was overwhelmingly welcoming and magnetic," Festival Manager Krystal Cox said of last year’s efforts. “It really looked like a sea of pleased faces, from the young right through to the old, all enjoyng an art form which has been a part of humankind since the beginning of time.”

The Blundstone Main Stage will this year feature Frank Yamma, Ramshackle Army, The Scrimms and a handful of local talents, while Tasmania’s famous produce, wine, and cider will be delivered by Matthew Evans (Gourmet Farmer) and his Fat Pig Farm van, Coal River Farm, Bruny Island food and so much more.

"We want people to know that the Valley is open for business all year round," Event Director Sam Reid said.

“We are really proud of the impact it has on the Tasmanian economy over a traditionally quiet time of the year. Last year the festival involved around 50 local businesses and is estimated to inject over $1 million into the Tasmanian economy.”

There’s also a strong focus on costumes and traditions, all the info of which – and tickets – you can find over on the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival website.