The cancellation of popular events has been one of the many necessary requirements of managing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) but Central Coast Council have been looking at ways to bring highlights of the popular Harvest Festival into local homes through an exciting new online format.

Community members will be able to explore the four event hubs of Harvest Festival through video packages featured on the Harvest Festival Facebook page and Council’s new Coast Connect YouTube channel.

Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said while locals and visitors may not be physically heading up to the beautiful Central Coast hinterland this June long-weekend they would still be able to take a glimpse behind the farm gate.
“Harvest Festival is one of our most popular events – both with Coasties and tourists – and we know it’s disappointing that the physical event can’t go forward but we’re thrilled to bring some of the magic of Harvest directly into our homes,” Mr Cannard said.

“We’ve worked with our event hub partners to create four video packages – Taste of Harvest, Paddock to Plate, Embrace the Adventure, Farmers’ Story – and each of these highlights packages will be available on the Harvest Festival Facebook page from June 6.“Experience the best of the ‘paddock to plate’ approach and cooking demonstrations using delectable local produce, discover hidden waterfalls, pick seasonal fruit (virtually), get to know some of our incredible local farmers as they take you onto their properties, and much more.”

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Harvest Festival Online would continue the annual tradition of celebrating the spectacular Central Coast hinterland.

“We may not be donning our winter woollies to head up our beautiful hinterland region but we will be able to experience some of the amazing local sites of the incredibly popular Harvest Festival from the safety and comfort of our living rooms,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Harvest Festival shines a spotlight on one of the Coast’s hidden gems – our beautiful, fertile and productive hinterland – and it is very exciting that we can experience on online version of this event in 2020.

“I’d encourage Coasties to sit down with their loved ones and enjoy this great content which showcases our farming and rural communities – an important part of what makes our region so special.”

Tune in for the first video package on Saturday 6 June and then each Saturday for the next three weeks after that for a new Harvest Festival experience.

Harvest Festival can be viewed on the Harvest Festival Facebook page and Council’s Coast Connect YouTube Channel – centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/youtube