Gardens are being prepped, 100,000 oranges are being collected, and organisers are excitedly preparing for a mammoth month featuring Spring Fest celebrations.
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CITRUS SCULPTURES
With little than a week to go until Banna Avenue is transformed into a sea of orange by the Real Juice Company Citrus Sculptures, new sculptures added bring this year's total displays to 70.
These include Altina's life-sized giraffe, Telstra's old-style phone booth, Foodwork's cash register and Murrumbidgee Irrigation's photo booth are among the new line-up of citrus masterpieces in Griffith.
Banna Avenue will turned orange on Sunday October 13, with the citrus sculptures erected early that morning to signal the start of Griffith Spring Fest.
Spring Fest Working Group chairwoman Councillor Rina Mercuri thanked everyone for their hard work in bringing this event back to fruition.
"It's incredible to think that it all started with just a handful of sculptures back in 1995. We couldn't be happier to have new entrants still coming on board to promote their businesses and help us grow our display."
Around 700 busy volunteers will be hard at work erecting the formations early in the morning to help create new and old favourites alike.
GARDEN FESTIVAL
Griffith Garden Festival also continues to be an integral part of Griffith Spring Fest, now in it's 29th year.
Showcasing seven local gardens coming to life at this time of year, and the work of the gardeners who tend to them year-round, coach groups and independent visitor will be able to enjoy the unique hospitality on offer.
Botanica will be an explosion of colour and flavour that is sure to leave a tasty, lasting impression.
- Local chef Rod Pieper
Griffith City Council's Event Coordinator Georgina Horton said this year they really want to showcase the local talent right here in Griffith.
"As well as open gardens, there'll be talks provided by experts on topics ranging from worm farming and a DIY bird bath workshop, as well as lunch, morning and afternoon tea and refreshments available at the gardens," Ms Horton said.
Seven open gardens range from small town gardens, with neatly trimmed edges and creative ideas for turning tight spaces into wild havens, to expansive rural gardens, where visitors will be overwhelmed by the huge potential of taming and nurturing such spaces.
Gardening enthusiasts can visit a garden island, accessible via a bridge over a self-made moat, and gardens set amongst orange orchards and vineyards.
There'll be talks provided by experts on topics ranging from worm farming and a DIY bird bath workshop, as well as lunch, morning and afternoon tea/ refreshments available at the gardens.
Gardens featured this year include, Mick and Marj Careri's Rosewood Park on Stokes, Trish and Lou Sartor, Lawrence Salvestrin and Tori Horder's Davit Farm, Peter and Ines Taprell, Emeri De Bortoli's, Il Campo, Patricia and Sally Jones, Yambiana, and Sam and Roslyn Catanzariti.
"The buses really are great value and hassle free, you get five gardens, a light lunch, a winery visit and tasting, and a local driver to give you all the local information and show you the hospitality Griffith is known for," Cr Mercuri said.
Daily tours start running from Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October.
RELATED
Phone Griffith Visitor Information Centre 1800 681 141 or go to www.griffithspringfest.com.au to make a booking.
BOTANICA
A new and unique celebration of the season experienced through the Riverina's glorious food and wine has also been added to the exciting line up of Spring Fest events this year.
Local chef Rod Pieper of Reggie P's Catering and BBQ, 'Purveyors of smoke equality' will host Botanica on Saturday October 19 at 6pm at Calabria Family Wines.
"Botanica will be an explosion of colour and flavour that is sure to leave a tasty, lasting impression," Chef Rod said.
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