Jordan Zirilli admires the Riverina Animal Grooming and All Creatures Veterinary Hospital creation at the Griffith citrus sculptures exhibition. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
It’s Spring in the Riverina and while festivals take the spotlight, there are plenty of different pursuits in between.
Griffith Spring Fest reaches its peak with an outdoor party on Friday 14 October and spectacular citrus sculptures lining the main street in town, Banna Avenue, until 22 October. There are also eight amazing private gardens that will be opened to the public to raise money for charity.
Some big name performers like Kitty Flanagan, Daniel Muggleton and Saije will be performing in Wagga on the weekend.
On Sunday, car lovers can participate in the Wagga Wagga Classic Car Show and Shine or check out century-old V8 Fords at Griffith’s Pioneer Park Museum.
As always, event organisers will be holding their breath, hoping forecast rain stays away or at least doesn’t last too long.
All week
Jas Vitucci likes the koala made by Griffith Post School Options, a disability support provider. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith citrus sculptures
When: Until 22 October
Where: Banna Ave, Griffith
Cost: Free.
A giant guitar, horse and cart and wheelchair are among 70 sculptures made from 100,000 citrus fruits that will line the main street of Griffith for the next two weeks. Visitors are advised to park their car at the Griffith Visitors Information centre and walk up Banna Avenue to take in all the sculptures but please. But note – squeezing the oranges or climbing on the citrus-made vehicles is not permitted.
Friday
Griffith Spring Fest launch party. Photo: Visit NSW.
Griffith Spring Fest LINX Launch Party
When: Friday 14 October, 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Griffith Visitor’s Information Centre, 1 Jondaryan Ave, Griffith
Cost: $40 for VIP Access including a bowl of paella, book here.
A big outdoor party will launch a week of Spring celebrations in the town centre. Residents and visitors are advised to bring a chair, grab some local food and drink and find a spot to enjoy the entertainment. There will be a paella station, wine bar, local beer, activities, entertainment, market stalls and a visit from gardening celebrity Costa Georgiadis.
Daniel Muggleton. Photo: Twitter.
Stand-up comic Daniel Muggleton in Wagga
When: Friday 14 October, 7:30 pm
Where: Melba’s Bakehouse & Eatery, 214 Baylis St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: $29, book here.
Comedian Daniel Muggleton will stop in Wagga on his 2022 Australian tour, wearing his trademark red tracksuit. Daniel’s debut special Let’s Never Hang Out aired on ABC Comedy in 2019 and 2020 and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He’s also been hand-picked to support comedians Jim Jefferies, Steve Hofstetter and Neel Kolhatkar on tour and perform at the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala in 2021. His videos have been seen more than 15 million times on YouTube.
Former B grade champion Stephen Munro has no expectations. That’s not how he operates. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith tennis championship
When: Friday 14 October, 5 pm
Where: Griffith Tennis Club, Noorilla St, Griffith
Cost: $10, payable upon entry.
Tennis players and fans are invited to the Griffith Tennis Club this Friday for the annual tennis championships. Some of the best tennis players in the region will be playing for a chance to get their names on the club honour board, including former ATP professional Danny Dossetor. There will be social competitions too, so players of all levels can compete. Spectators are welcome with the club bar open and barbecue available.
All Weekend
Kitty Flanagan. Photo: kittyflanagan.com.
Kitty Flanagan in Wagga
When: Friday 14 October, 8 pm and Saturday 15 October, 5 pm and 8 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way off, Tarcutta St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Adults $59.90, concession $54.90, student $54.90, group 10+ $54.90, book here.
Provocative comedian Kitty Flanagan will be in Wagga again to do her comedy routine and to provide invaluable life advice. She is best known for her role on ABC’s Utopia and for her book 488 Rules for Life, the title of which mocks controversial clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson’s book 12 Rules for Life.
Emeri De Bortoli in her garden. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith Garden Festival
When: Friday 14 October to Sunday 16 October, 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Various Griffith locations, see details here
Cost: $8, payable upon entry.
Eight spectacular private gardens in the Griffith region will be open for private viewing over the weekend as part of Griffith Spring Fest. Visitors can wander each garden all weekend. Celebrity gardener Costa Georgiadis will be doing the rounds giving talks in each garden. In many cases, the entry money will go towards local charities such as Can Assist and there will also be the opportunity to purchase items or make donations for good causes at the gardens. Region has previewed Emeri De Bortoli’s expansive garden in Bilbul and Cherine Hitchcock’s intimate Asian style garden in Hanwood.
Saturday
Award-winning folk duo Saije. Photo: Visit NSW.
Saije in Wagga
When: Saturday 15 October, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Where: Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Concession $20, general $25, book here.
Award-winning folk duo Saije will be returning to Wagga this weekend. The pair perform soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar lines and percussive breakdowns which are said to breathe life into heartfelt stories. After being awarded Folk Alliance Australia’s ‘Young Artist of the Year’ (2019 to 2021), Saije toured their latest release Kindred throughout Australia and Canada in early-2020. On their 2021 Rekindle Tour the pair carried their music and messages of connection to the far-flung corners of Australia with unifying performances that filled small halls and overflowed from large festival stages.
Sunday
Wagga Wagga Classic Car Show and Shine. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Wagga Wagga Classic Car Show and Shine
When: Sunday 16 October, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Equex Centre, McDonald Park Car Park, Copland St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Car entrants $10, general $5, payable upon entry.
The Wagga Wagga Classic Car Show and Shine is a chance to show off your vehicle and check out other cars and motorbikes. All makes are welcome including motorcycles, with proceeds going to the local charity Wagga Defence Shed.
Century-old V8 Ford cars are coming to Griffith. Photo: Supplied.
Century-old V8 Ford cars in Griffith
When: Sunday 16 October, 11 am
Where: Pioneer Park Museum, 40 Remembrance Dr, Griffith
Cost: $5, payable upon entry.
The Early V8 Ford Car Club will be coming to Griffith’s Pioneer Park Museum, displaying century-old cars in one space for locals to view. To complement the cars there will also be a ‘mini’ action day with blacksmithing, tractors and a steam engine. Entry to the museum is discounted to $5 for the event.
Loading ...
