As the Riverland recovers and rebuilds from the impact of the once-in-a-century flood earlier this year, the 29th Annual Riverland Rose and Garden Festival not only provides a much-needed boost to the local economy but is gearing up as an unforgettable week. The brainchild of Eithne Dishu back in 1994, it was an event to bring people into Renmark and promote it as the Rose capital of Australia. Today, it is a major South Australian Regional Event, spanning towns across the Riverland with a wide range of events and attractions.
The largest grape-growing area in Australia is home to passionate businesses, individuals, and event organisers who have come together to showcase their offerings and celebrate their beautiful region to the rest of SA and beyond. While roses take centre stage, there’s much more to the festival than a dapper-looking Double Delight. With food, wine, visual arts, music, crafts, river recreation, and more, it makes for an iconic celebration that goes beyond the blooms.
Celebrating and showing the resilience of Riverlanders, the theme for crowd favourite, Renmark Institute Floral Display, is “Riverlanders are Rocking”. Busy volunteers spend countless hours collecting flowers from Riverland Gardens to create a vibrant display which has been a mainstay of the festival for many years. There will be a return of other festival favourites too, such as the Gala Dinner, Open Gardens and the Waikerie Flower Show.
The Festival will officially kick off with the ever-popular Festival Fair and Market on Saturday, October 21, at the Jarret Memorial Gardens, Renmark. This lively event will feature a stack of stalls, fresh produce, crafts, locally produced jewellery, toys and more. You can even pack your pooch for some obedience shaming. While you sip your coffee in the park, pop your puppy in the front row to learn a few tricks with the hit Riverland Kennel Club Dog Obedience display which is back for a fourth year.
For something a little different and with a dress code of “Bush Formal”, Calperum Station is at it again on Friday, Oct 20 for a night in the “Grand Ol’ Calperum Woolshed”. You’ll need to pull out the ball gown, dust off your boots and shake a little Do-Si-Do for this one. Hosted by Amanda Blair, a sumptuous feast and fine wine await. Just outside of Renmark with a glimpse into the Aussie Bush, Calperum also offer tours of the floodplains, showcasing their ecological restoration efforts. Camping and accommodation are available, with a “morning after” Bush Breakfast on Saturday.
If bush dancing isn’t your thing, and you’re seeking to expand your gardening knowledge the Seminar Series, featuring three renowned speakers might be for you, with sessions about bees, native plants, and horticulture. There’s even a session about how to be a happy gardener, but don’t all the best ones know that money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy plants, and that’s the same thing?
The Riverland Rose and Garden Festival is a jam-packed week from October 20-27 with Car Boot Plant Sales, Fetes, High Teas, Live Music, Food and Fashion, Art, Culture and of course Gardens and Roses!
To find out more, and be part of the celebration of the Riverland’s resilience and beauty, click here
