Kelmarna Gardens Autumn Festival

Overview

Kelmarna is a majestic place between Grey Lynn villas where you can pick your own organic fruit and vegetables, buy fresh eggs and pat friendly farm animals. The community garden's annual Autumn Festival is a chance to recognise the efforts put in and give back so the initiative can grow and thrive. Anyone and everyone is invited to enjoy a day of food, music, workshops and more. While the event is free, the funds raised at the festival are vital for the continuation as an open community space for environmental education, organic gardening and horticultural therapy.

Longtime advocates of the space, Orphans Kitchen, will be laying down their famous wood-fired barbecue in the paddock at this year's festival, serving organic wood-fired chicken and vegetarian/vegan options direct from the gardens. The feast always has a habit of selling out so for the first time attendees will be able to book lunch in advance. In addition, there will be food by Filipino eatery Nanam, Bread and Butter Bakery, Little Bird Organics, Millers Coffee, Serious Popcorn, Organic Mechanic and Nice Blocks.

Workshops are also a key part of the festival and this year will see everything from organic bee-keeping with Carol Downer, planting winter gardens and home composting with Judy Keats, and urban chicken keeping with Rosalie Yozin. Tickets for workshops are also available to buy in advance.

All that plus live music from Nigel Gavin, Pocket Candy, Stefan Ozich and Backawall Bongo Sound System; a kids zone with activities all day; the Kelmarna seedling sale and organic produce for purchase; and bouquets and botanical creations by Green is the Thing.

Image: Kelmarna Gardens.