Harvest Festival Central Coast has become a June long weekend tradition and after a required break this year Central Coast Council is looking for new partners to make the 2021 event the best yet.

Local businesses and groups are invited to submit Expressions of Interest to be event hub partners for Harvest Festival, which attracts 32,000 locals and visitors and injects over $8million into the local economy.

Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said the continued growth and success of the event was largely thanks to the new ideas and contributions of local businesses, companies, organisations and community groups.

“Harvest Festival has become our largest and most successful event and whilst it was extremely disappointing that we couldn’t celebrate the harvest this year, we are planning to be bigger and better in 2021,” Mr Cannard said.

“Our event numbers were up by 100 percent last year and we’re anticipating further growth for our next event.

“Harvest Festival is such a success because of our incredible event hub partners and we are currently looking to lock in our partners for 2021.

“We’re keen to continue to evolve our relationship with existing partners and invite new businesses and groups to further enhance this celebration of farm, friends, food and fun in our picturesque hinterland region.”

Harvest Festival features a range of experiences, activities and fantastic local produce and food across the event trail which spans Dooralong, Jilliby, Yarramalong, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Calga.

Expressions of Interest are sought across a range of offerings including but not limited to:

• open farm gate sales
• ticketed farm tours/talks
• pick your own produce
• tours and talks
• indigenous cultural experiences/bush tucker tours
• cinema under the stars
• art events/installations
• live music events
• family fun events
• cooking demonstrations
• food experiences with local produce
• obstacle course races/fun runs.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said she encouraged both existing and new business partners to continue to enhance the Harvest Festival success story.

“We’ve been starved of events in 2020 and we look forward to a fantastic program of Central Coast events in 2021 including our beloved Harvest Festival,” Mayor Matthews said.

“This event is a unique celebration of our stunning hinterland region, our incredible local produce and sustainability.

“Harvest Festival is made possible by the contribution of local businesses, organisations and community groups and we look forward to your continued contribution and enhancement of the event.

“There is something very special about seeing both locals and tourists donning their winter woollies and heading behind the farm gate in our beautiful and fertile hinterland, which is home to wonderful communities and unique businesses.”

Businesses, companies, organisations or community groups interested in being part of Harvest Festival in 2021 should complete an Expression of Interest by 11 September 2020.

Find out more information and complete the Expression of Interest by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/EOI