OATLANDS will take a familiar step back in time this weekend when the Heritage and Bullock Festival returns.
Held to celebrate the heritage skills, trades and artisans that Oatlands has become known for, the festival will turn the town into a display of skills from times gone by.
As well as the town itself and its buildings, on display will be Brian Fish and his bullock team, a steam-engine parade in the main street along with other vintage machinery, memorabilia and museum displays.
Displays of heritage crafts will take place across the town, including bread baking in the Commissariat wood-fired ovens, blacksmiths and farriers, chair making, leather working, crating, spinning, weaving, quilting and wood chopping.
There will also be entertainment in the form of theatrical displays and bagpipes.
Food stalls and winemakers will be in attendance.
Event organiser Wendy Young said the setting of Oatlands lent itself perfectly to the festival.
“Oatlands is such a perfect location for a festival of this nature, and being a free event, it makes it a great day or weekend out for everyone.
“Oatlands has the largest number of intact Georgian buildings in a village environment in Australia, so it is appropriate that a festival showcasing traditional trades and crafts is being held in such a unique location.”
The event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and it is hoped it will again prove popular with those coming from the cities.
The festival will be held tomorrow and Sunday from 10am to 4pm each day across multiple sites in the village as well as in Callington Park.
For details visit www. southernmidlands.tas.gov.au or search for the Heritage & Bullock Festival Oatlands Facebook page