See the 'Events' Page for all the 2009 winners

Welcome to the official Harcourt Applefest website.

Due to popular demand this year’s Harcourt Applefest will return to the Labour Day weekend, starting on Friday March 6 and winding up on Sunday March 8 2009. Depending on the timing of the opening of the last stretch of the Calder Freeway between Faraday and Ravenswood, this may be the first post-bypass Applefest. A large enthusiastic group of locals has been working since early 2007 on developing an “After the Bypass” plan for Harcourt’s future development, with a focus on promoting a vibrant community that meets the needs of all its residents in a sustainable way.

In recognition of their work, and the ongoing water and climate change issues facing the community, the 2009 Applefest theme is “Sustainable Valley”. Saturday’s street parade will be led by electric cars which are manufactured in Harcourt, and the Mt Alexander Sustainability Group will be in attendance providing information.

Some of the features of the 2009 Applefest are:
A FREEZA youth event at the Harcourt Leisure Centre on Friday night;
The art show at the Heritage Centre;
A one day street market on Saturday featuring loads of local produce;
A sustainable scarecrow competition;
A return of the fabulous ‘frock up boys’ apple tarts competition on Saturday night, followed by some exuberant “dancing in the street”;
The final of the apple pie eating competition on Saturday on the main stage (check the Applefest website for details of the heats being held at various local hotels leading up to the final);
The bigger, better and more hotly contested apple pie baking competition;
The perennial favourite pet parade and ferret race;
The ever-popular fun run (or walk) around Harcourt;
A bike ride and car rally around the ‘Taste of Gold’ trail of local food and wine producers, finishing with a drink and feed at the Harcourt Tavern;
The informative growers tent, & of course, in all their many delicious forms, apples............