Valley becomes tourist hotspot this week

TOURISM: This week Yass Valley is showcasing not one, not two, not three, but four events destined to attract large crowds of the artistic and food-loving type.

During the week, the Yass Valley Information Centre has been hosting meet and greet activities with local eatery and winery businesses in nearby Coronation Park between 12pm-4pm.

The Taste of the Region open days have included a selection of olives, oils, smoked meats, jams, chocolates and more on offer via Thyme To Taste, Robyn Rowe Chocolates, Poachers Pantry, and Homeleigh Grove on Monday.

This was followed by YASSarts representatives taking questions about this weekend’s Sculpture in the Paddock exhibition on Tuesday.

Figjam have attended in past years. PHOTO: Turning Wave

Today visitors will be able to meet winemaker Bill Crowe, from Four Winds Vineyard, and sample some of their wines and grab a program for this year’s Makers of Murrumbateman moving feast.

Tomorrow will feature heritage cars, billy carts and alpacas in the park. Visitors will be treated to a small taste of this year’s Classic Yass festival, and pat an alpaca provided by Ann and Barry Ranyard, from Marchmont Alpacas.

On Friday it’s all about this weekend’s Turning Wave Festival, with the chance to meet  some performers from this year’s 10th anniversary event.

Forties performed at last year’s event. PHOTO: Turning Wave

The historic Kangaroo March commemorating our diggers who signed up for World War I will reach our region today.

Binalong is expecting the marchers to arrive in time for a welcome ceremony and lunch at midday and a chance for visitors to explore the village before  an evening of entertainment, period costume and variety night hosted by Binalong Arts Group Inc.

The march then moves on to Bowning, where it will be received enthusiastically at 1pm and proceed to a ceremony at the Cenotaph which will involve the Federation Guard.

On Friday marchers will move on to Yass and stay for three days enjoying the Turning Wave festivities.

Bush dancing festivities at Turning Wave are definite crowd-pleasers. PHOTO: Supplied

Turning Wave is in its tenth year and will run from Friday through to Sunday.

It features events and performances throughout the weekend, highlighting Irish and Australian music in a diverse range of styles, including acoustic, bluegrass, roots, Celtic and country.

Performances this year include a welcome concert at 7pm at Yass Memorial Hall, followed by various acts until closing time at 11.40pm.

Fruittrees performed at last year’s event. PHOTO: Turning Wave

The Liberty Theatre performances start at 5.30pm on Friday evening, starting with West of the Divide with Laurie McDonald, Peter Mace, John Peel and Graeme Johnson performing. Other acts will follow until closure at 11.20pm.

Thyme to Taste will host a poetry event from 7.30pm to 9.45pm and bookings are recommended for this.

St Augustine’s Old Chapel will host an unplugged recital from 5.30-6.30pm, followed by dance with the Tangambalanga Ceili Band and guest callers from 8pm to 10.30pm on Friday night.

Check below for the full Turning Wave itinerary.

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A camping area will be set up at Joe O’Connor Park to accommodate out of town guests for the weekend.

Sculpture in the Paddock will also open this weekend, littering the vast paddocks of Cooma Cottage with decorative and inspired works of art until October 11.

View more stories about Turning Wave and Sculpture in the Paddock in coming days.