A DIDGERIDOO’S subtle sounds, the beating of Scottish highland drums with the melodic sound of bagpipes, and the sights of Irish and Celtic dancers in colourful outfits jigging away added to the vibrancy of last weekend’s inaugural Beechworth Heritage Festival.
While hot weather prevailed on Saturday, the action-packed event with a huge variety of activities and entertainment drew people from near and far.
The two-day event, which also featured Friday night sessions, celebrated the town’s diverse heritage and culture with its First Nations, Chinese and Celtic history and heritage trades that shaped its community.
For Corryong artist, didgeridoo craftsman and playe,r Jon Juda, the festival was a great way for the community to engage holistically with one another.
“Australia has a very old history and trying to correlate that together into a festival is a good thing,” he said.
“People don't really know a great deal about Indigenous people and culture so it's important that we get out there and start meeting people”.
Beechworth Golden Serpents Dragon Boat president Brendan Maher said the festival had been a great opportunity for the club to join in.
‘We were able to do the traditional ‘Awakening of the Dragon which fits into the Chinese history of Beechworth,” he said.
Eldorado sculpturist Tim Sanderson showcased his craft in the Police Paddocks in the Heritage Trades Market.
“The younger generation can see that welding has a lot more opportunities and jobs out there for creatively-minded people,” he said.
Wangaratta Handweaver and Spinner’s vice-president and local resident Dianne Adams said the market had attracted a good number of people.
“It was well set out and not overcrowded,” she said.
Delighted Beechworth Heritage Festival committee member and organiser Lorraine Lucas said the heritage trade concept worked well, while various other events around town had drawn good numbers of people too.
She said the Town Hall had seen a strong turnout for a performance by the Beechworth Singers.
“People were in and out of the Chinese Protectorate Office all day on both days too,” she said.
“We’re looking forward to next year’s event as it’s sparked a lot of interest and we have already received suggestions."
Lorraine said both local and out of town volunteers had helped in running the event.
“A couple who love coming to Beechworth from Melbourne worked tirelessly all weekend,” she said.
“Without the support of the Beechworth Correctional Centre team and volunteers we couldn’t run the festival.”
Lorraine also said the festival ran on generous donations from businesses around town as well as local border businesses.
“These events are vital for the local economy as they are what keeps it afloat.”
Entry donations raised around $3000 to help run next year’s event.
Lorraine said offers for help are welcome for next year’s festival.
