Potatoes will be the talk of the region at the Robertson potato Festival at the end of April.
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You can buy local potatoes, strut on a catwalk in a potato sack, compete in a spud and spoon race and even enter a mash eating competition.
Festival organiser and managing director of Expertise Events Gary Fitz-Roy told the Southern Highland News about the benefits the festival would have for the region, and what people can look forward to.
"There is something for everyone," he said.
"I think this is an opportunity to combine music, food and old-fashion country fun."
See what you can get up to at the Robertson Showground from April 30 to May 1.
Robertson Potato Festival Art Prize
See a collection of artworks that put potatoes and the village of Robertson proudly on display. Paintings and drawings throughout the exhibition have been awarded different prizes like highly commended and People's Choice. You can see the pieces from April 21 to 23 and April 28 to May 1 at CTC Robertson. It is a free exhibition. The centre is open from 10am to 4pm from every Thursday to Friday, 9am to 1pm every Saturday and 10am to 4pm on May 1.
Hessians on the field
Do you have a creative flair and think you can construct an outfit out of potato sacks? Well you're in luck! You need to craft an ensemble that will be worn on a model and showcased on a catwalk to be crowned the Hottest Potato! There will be two Singer sewing machines up for grabs for entrants 16 and under and aged 17 and older. Entries must be made up of 50 per cent of potato sacks, which can be supplied on the day or purchased in Robertson. The parade will take place on May 1 at 2.30pm.
Crowning of Cream of the Crop
You collect points for every activity you do in the Spud-A-Dome, which will be tallied. The person with the most points is the Spudfest Champion and the 'Cream of the Crop' for 2022.
Activities and competitions
Kids and adults can take part in different games and competitions across the weekend.
April 30:
- 10.45am: Do you think you can peel the longest potato skin? Enter this potato peeling competition.
- 11.45am: Spud and spoon race for adults.
- 12.45pm: Do you think you can pack potatoes the quickest? Join the adult potato picking line and speed trial with your friends.
- 1.45pm: Get a competitive team of adults together for the potato stacking competition.
- 2.45pm: Adults can enter the potato sack race.
- 3.30pm: Complete an obstacle course with this SAS Style event, more details will be revealed on the day.
- 4.30pm: Mash eating competition.
May 1:
- 11am: Junior sack race for kids, teenagers and tweens.
- 11.30am: Senior sack race in teams of two.
- 12.30pm: Junior three-legged spud and spoon race.
- 1pm: Senior three three-legged spud and spoon race.
- 2.30pm: Hessians on the field parade. Who will be crowned this year's Hottest of Hot Potato Ambassador?
- 3pm: The 2022 Cream of the Crop winner is revealed.
Activities for tater-tots:
Parents and guardians can do some activities with their little ones. As part of their 150th anniversary, Robertson Public School is holding a fundraiser with different activities. Adults must remain with their children throughout.
Adults and young children can take part in activities such as:
- Making vegetable people.
- Potato stamping.
- Potato picking.
- Potato bowling.
- Hessian art.
- Decorating a potato to be added to the community 'Taterpillar'.
Community stage
Do you love to sing, dance, play an instrument or have a special talent? Come along and perform on stage.
Here is what you can do:
- 10am to 11.45am (April 30 and May 1): Junior open mic for children from kindergarten to Year 12.
- 12pm to 1.45pm (April 30 and May 1): Robbo's Got Talent for all ages. Show everyone what you can do.
- 2pm to 3.45pm (April 30): Potato Poetry and Rap Challenge for everyone. Showcase your clever phrases about potatoes.
- 4pm to 7pm (April 30) and 2pm to 3.45pm (April 1): Open mic for adult amateur musicians.
Registration forms will be uploaded to the potato festival website soon.
Live music
Lots of performers will be playing over the weekend including Amber Kenny from Robertson, the Shane Pacey Trio, Rapunzel's Party, Rob Webb and the Rusted Track and the Modern Day Gents.
Gardening and Growers Section
Discover local produce, homemade jams, gardening products and plants in the market, as well different experts ready to give you tips and tricks to use at home.
- 12.30pm (April 30): ABC Radio host and horticulturalist John Gabriele will share his love of gardening and composting with everyone.
- 1.30pm (April 30) and 11.30am (May 1): Learn more about bees with Hamish Ta-mé from Bowral Beekeeping.
- Potato grower and Robertson local John Hill will chat with attendees throughout the day.
Cooking demonstrations
Learn more about potatoes and add new dishes to your recipe book with the following talks and demonstrations.
April 30:
- 10.45am: Moonacres Kitchen head chef Stephen Santucci will be showcasing the humble potato.
- 11.30am: Fast Ed whips up some soiled potatoes with assorted fruits and vegetables.
- 12.30pm: Robertson Hotel executive chef Daniele Cavallucci creates dishes featuring potatoes and truffles.
- 1.30pm: Helen Vlahkis from Mumma's Country Kitchen in the Robertson Cheese factory will show everyone her Greek potato recipe.
- 2.30pm: Fast Ed will show people more potato dishes.
May 1:
- 10.30am: Peter and Billie Cox show everyone how to make quality mash.
- 11.30am: Ed makes a potato and rosemary bread that requires no kneading with a smoked vegan fish curd and lemon honey.
- 12.30pm: Fede Guidi will show kids how to make gnocchi.
- 1.30pm: Fast Ed cooks a potato and sage glass with a skordalia and smoked salmon compote, wild fennel cream and soy beans.
- 2.30pm: Helen Vlahkis cooks family meals you can recreate at home.
Western Wood Turners
The Western Wood Turners will have a display with working Lathe machine to show some historical insight into potato harvesting. A range of hamdmade wooden pieces will be on sale in their handmade market area.
A free shuttle bus to and from the Robertson Potato Festival which runs from Bowral, Moss Bale and Burrawang. More information about departure times and locations can be found here.
There is limited parking on site on both days.
There is currently an early bird ticket sale. General admission tickets for adults are $20 for one day and $35 for a weekend pass.
Family passes for two adults and two children are $50 for one day and $80 for a weekend pass.
Tickets can be purchased on the potato festival ticket page.
You can enjoy the festival from 9am to 7pm Saturday on April 30, and 9am to 5pm on May 1. More information can be found on https://potatofestival.com.au/home/.
Residents can also watch matinee and evening performances of the Robertson centric play The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race from April 30 to May 1 at the Robertson School of Arts. Tickets can be purchased through TryBooking.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
