Food and fun at Manjimup Harmony
A spotlight on Manjimup’s food industry poured almost $1 million into the economy when about 8000 people turned out for the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival on Saturday.
Giblett and Brockman streets were closed to allow people to peruse, purchase and experience the produce, wares and entertainment offered by the region.
Festival organiser Rose Moyle said close to 2500kg of cherries were sold during the festival.
“We did better this year across the board compared to last year, ” Mrs Moyle said.
“An event as successful as this puts the whole local food industry in focus and gives people a greater awareness of our producers.”
Mrs Moyle said a combination of milder weather, effective promotion, a greater focus on the region’s food and a growing awareness of the festival made the event so successful.
“The Southern Forest Food Avenue, the tastings and cooking demonstrations were extremely popular, ” she said.
“The cherry festival also provided people the opportunity to talk to our producers.”
The Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival also included entertainment like street theatre, live music and the ever-popular Glove Vista Cherry pip-Spitting competition.
Clint Thompson, of Perth, won the 2012 competition and returned to win the event again and will travel to New Zealand next year to defend his title.
“There was no practice beforehand, I was just good when it counted,” Mr Thompson said.
“I have to get my passport fixed though, it just expired.”
Mrs Moyle said some changes this year included setting out stalls along Giblett Street up to the Ispen Street intersection.
“That meant people were visiting every aspect of the festival,” she said.
“I know some of the commercial eating places have done the best they have ever done.
“Not to forget the flow-on effect to the hospitality industry.”
Celebrity chef Theo Kalogeracos said he would “100 per cent” return for next year’s festival if invited and joked he would be upset if he was not.
“It’s nice to see people interested in the food industry, it gives us the opportunity to educate people, ” he said.
