Community
16 June, 2023
Dogs, markets and all things Port
WITH everything from fast-paced Dachshunds to markets, ghost tours and musical events, last weekend’s first in a series of ‘Winter Weekends’ has been hailed a huge success.
Port Fairy came alive over the three-day long weekend as crowds flocked to the town to enjoy a host of activities which celebrated the town’s vibrant history, culture and community.
The festival had visitors eating, drinking, creating and dancing their way through the weekend. An estimated 2500 people gathered at the football oval on Saturday afternoon to watch the heats and finals of the much-anticipated Dachshund Dash.
Well over 100 dogs raced (or sniffed) their way to the finish line amid the cheer of owners and big crowds. Festival co-ordinator Ali Kavanagh said the weekend exceeded expectations.
“It was an absolutely fantastic weekend, which really made all the hard work worth it,” she said.
“The Port Fairy Winter Weekends has been a stalwart in the festival calendar in the region for many years and last weekend was a great start to this year’s program.”
While the four-legged friends raced across the oval, the Lions Club sold more than $800 in sausages while a nearby coffee van sold one coffee per minute throughout the afternoon’s event.
“The weekend was a huge success on so many levels,” Ms Kavanagh said.
“The town traders did very well, the men’s shed toy making event got through all 150 toy-make kits (and even had to give away their display models) and the Lions Club also sold out of 100 artworks raising $2000.”
Gunditjmara-Maar Nations traditional owners held a smoking ceremony and welcome to country before visitors strolled down to the Moyne for a riverside of colour and light.
Throughout the weekend, the port buildings and surrounding grounds were transformed in a vivid play of colour, shadow and light.
Following on from last weekend’s activities, the remaining two ‘winter weekends’ will be held on Friday, June 23-Sunday, June 25, and Friday, July 7-Sunday, July 9.
