The township is set to host its inaugural harvFEST post-harvest festival and is inviting neighbours from Ballarat, Geelong and all the way down to Warrnambool to come celebrate with them.

Festival spokesman Tony Boyer said Skipton had been through a tough few years, with Skipton floods and the pub closing down, but the time felt right to boost community spirit.

“A post-harvest festival with lots of local food and wine has been something everyone is celebrating, because harvest has been good this year,” Mr Boyer said. “It’s not just about raising money, it’s about the whole community spirit.”

Mr Boyer said there was a good vibe about town, and a few nerves ahead of the new venture but hoped what they had assembled for celebrations would draw a strong crowd. Skipton Football Netball Club has taken the lead organising role for the festival.

Hawkins is set to run a junior football clinic while Wall will run two Netfit Netball clinics.

Band The Magnums will provide live music and Bendigo soul-rock guy Skip will host a rock school for children under-fives.

Food vendors from Timboon Ice-Cream, Gourmet BBQ, East India Food Truck, Brett’s Kitchen Caravan, Red Door Pizzeria and Twistto will serve up tasty delights. Wineries Mount Avoca, Ned Kelly and Michael Unwin plus craft brewery Red Duck Beer will also be on site.

“We wanted parents to come along for good food and wine but know there’s lots of fun for the kids too, like a jumping castle, bucking bull and animal farm,” Mr Boyer said. “We’re making it a family-friendly day.”

A return bus service will run from Ballarat Train Station and Delacombe Mini Mart through the day.

Skipton’s harvFEST Living Local Post-Harvest Festival is at Skipton Recreation Reserve on Sunday, from 11am to 5pm.

Further details are available via the harvFEST Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/harvFEST/