What happened at the 2007 Pemberton  Festival??? Click on the Pics for a bigger view!

Well we did happen to pick the hottest day of the year (Jan 25th 07)! But the place was busy, there was plenty of fun and action for the kids and the wine tent was packed.

Opening by Showbiz Promotions at 10am came with songs in an Australiana Theme – the local children did us proud and their first public performance was outstanding.

The Wine Association with its professional setting, showcased over 14 wineries with local Bannister Downs cheese for patrons to taste upon. Forest Fresh Marron showcased with delicacies of a Marron BBQ and whole marron to try. The guest artist was Fiona Mariah, from The West End Production of Phantom of the Opera.

Art in all its forms was on display - including Paddock art and creative constructions, now in their 3rd year.

The choice of meals available ranged from Hot Fresh Pizza’s, Raj’s curries, Freemasons Sausage Sizzle, Hot Spuds to a never ending supply of icecreams and beer! Regional products available included olives, olive oil, flowers, jams and chutney.

The children were well catered for, with heaps of rides, art and crafts and fun activities through the day – and then there was the Donut eating contest – Yum! The inaugural Aussie Meat Pie Bake Off was won by Iain Menzies, with second place Jeremy Forest and third place Clare Rosengrant and was a huge success with 17 entries with 3 special judges, Sophie Zalokar, Sue Mountford and Scott Spicer who thought the standard was extremely high. We are looking forward to the 2008 Bake Off.

The third “Marron and Wine Festival” was opened by local MLA Paul Omodei and proudly supported by local businesses with over $8000 in sponsorship prizes and donations. This included funding from the Shire of Manjimup, Gloucester Motel, Pemberton Arts Group, Manjimup Monograms, Silkwood Winery, Treenbrook Cottages, Beedelup House, Lost Lake Winery, Pemberton Backpackers, Lorna Drake, Fine Woodcraft Gallery, Pemberton Sports Club, Pump Hill Farm Cottages, Donnelly River Cruise, Mountford Winery, Pemberton General Store, BP Service Station, Donnelly Lakes Chalets, Gloucester Ridge Winery, Thrifty Link Hardware, Pemberton Discovery Shop, Forest Fresh Marron, Donnelly River Wines, Karri Valley Hideaway Cottages, Pemberton Wine Assoc., Manjimup Pump and Electrical, Pemberton Gifts & Crafts, Eagle Springs Marron, Mega Pix, PHR Rural, Kevin Dunnet, D & S Barnsby, Shamrock Restaurant, Botanica, Serene Beauty, Headquarters for Hair, Coffee Connection, Crossings Bakery, Pemberton Chicken, Pemberton Chinese Restaurant, IGA Pemberton, Mill House Café, Manjimup Stockfeeds, DeCampo Transport, Pemberton Post Office, Beedelup House, Retravision Manjimup, Karri Forest Motel, D.E.C., Bannister Downs Dairy and incredible advise and direction from Showbiz Promotions. A special thank you to all the supporting businesses – and the people who attended and a big thank you to the steering committee which includes Peter Davis, Bob Rosengrant, John Suckling and thanks to secretary Toni Dearle from the Pemberton Discovery Shop for her invaluable contribution.

The 2008 festival should be bigger and better than ever – the committee is working towards closing off the main street of town – stopping traffic! We are planning to stage a free event next year and incorporating local halls and parks with all the best things Pemberton has to offer.

See you next year!

Clare Rosengrant
Events Co-ordinator
Marron & Wine Festival