The Swiss Italian Festa parade. PICTURE: JOHN MEIR
THE Swiss and Italian forebears of Hepburn Springs helped shape the community into the wine, food and spa destination it is renowned as today.
The 20th Swiss Italian Festa will this week see thousands of people come together to celebrate the culture and lifestyle of Hepburn Springs and Daylesford, with an emphasis on that European heritage.
The festa’s creative director Monique Harvey said a wide range of events – from performance and film to food and bocce – would be staged in venues around the towns over six days.
She said the program aimed to reach a broad audience, with open gardens, wine tastings, musical entertianment and family-friendly activities all on offer.
The festival launches tonight with the presentation of the Landscape Art Prize and Exhibition at the Savoia Hotel in Hepburn Springs. Ms Harvey said the streets of Hepburn Springs would come alive during Saturday’s grand parade and family festa and Sunday’s lantern parade and fireworks finale.
She said the Swiss and Italian heritage – with its, food, wine and architecture – remained strong in the region today.
“The local community really embraces the event,” Ms Harvey said.
“It’s a real highlight for families in the area.”
