Now in its 21st year, the Hepburn Springs Swiss & Italian Festa is firmly established as one of the longest running festivals in Central Victoria.
Visitors and the communities of the Hepburn Shire will enjoy a five day multicultural festival highlighting the
heritage of the settlers from Ticino in Switzerland and Northern Italy who arrived in the region in the mid-nineteenth century. Their legacy is still visible today in the food and architecture of the region, mineral water and wines including nebbiolo, dolcetto and pinot grigio varieties, all heavily influenced by these Swiss & Italian migrants and worthy of our nurture and celebration.
The Swiss and Italian Festa provides an annual focus for Swiss and Italian activities in the area, bringing descendants of the original settlers and visitors together in the region to celebrate this vibrant
heritage.
The Festa program includes the Grand Opening Parade and Family Festa, Landscape Art Exhibition; special Swiss & Italian themed events at local wineries and restaurants; concerts and musical performances all held in iconic Swiss and Italian
heritage buildings and venues; sporting events for children and adults; walks to historically significant locations; a descendants' picnic and museum tours at Cricket Willow; Italian movies, open gardens, open studios and exhibitions. Plus parties, parades and children's events all culminating in the Lantern Parade and Fireworks Finale!
The region boasts a wealth of enticing attractions including most recognisably the Hepburn Springs Bathhouse and the Mineral Springs, which would not be in existence today if not for the original Swiss & Italian settlers who set up the original Hepburn Mineral Springs Committee to control mining and therefore protect the mineral springs in the area.
Program available 20 September 2014