After a yearlong hiatus due to COVID-19, Griffith's flagship festival, Griffith Spring Fest is set to return on 10 – 24 October 2021 and will showcase everything Griffith has to offer.
This year will celebrate 30 years of the Griffith Garden Festival and 25 years of the Real Juice Company Citrus Sculptures.
Griffith City Council Events Coordinator, Georgina Horton said Real Juice Company have come back on board again this year as a major sponsor.
"The Citrus Sculpture application forms have gone out to participating community groups with many already having returned them, demonstrating how much everyone missed the Sculptures last year," said Ms Horton.
"We have had interest for some new sculptures which will make for a fantastic display, celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Real Juice Company Citrus Sculptures."
Application forms are due in by the end of July as it is crucial to the planning of construction day and dismantle day to be held in a COVID safe way. Traditionally, around 800 locals meet in the early hours of Sunday morning to help build around 70 sculptures, which is one of the key component event organisers are working on at the moment.
Although COVID-19 will have an impact on the way various events are run this year, Ms Horton says that it won't stop them delivering some of our favourite events.
"To ensure we are operating under the relevant COVID-19 restrictions, there will be change in the way we do things, but we will do our best to provide a fantastic event while following any instructions given by the NSW Government," said Ms Horton.
"We are excited to be hosting the 25th Anniversary of the Citrus Sculptures, and we know the community will support the plans we put in place to deliver this amazing event, keeping to the NSW Health guidelines."
Chairperson of the Festival of Gardens Working Group, Councillor Rina Mercuri said Griffith will be celebrating the 30th year of the Griffith Garden Festival, featuring new and returning gardens.
"A lot of work has been going on in the background to ensure we host a successful event and I am pleased to announce we will have gardening guru Costa Georgiadis to help us celebrate - we can't wait to have him back in town," said Councillor Mercuri.
"After delivering an online festival in 2020, celebrating some of our wonderful garden owners, it is exciting to now be able to open up some of the region's most spectacular gardens in person again in 2021.
"We look forward to welcoming everyone to each garden to support the local charities and groups at each of the gardens," she added.
There are plans underway to deliver the LINX Launch Party again in the Griffith Visitor Information Centre Car Park, however specific details on this event are still being finalised to follow all NSW Health guidelines.
"We are working on a few scenarios on how we can deliver this event as we know it is a favourite amongst the locals, and visitors," said Councillor Mercuri.
The full program of events will be released in the coming months as key details are finalised, so keep an eye on www.griffithspringfest.com.au as information is released or follow Griffith Spring Fest on Facebook.
