As South Australia’s beloved festival of footy returns for a second year, Premier Peter Malinauskas also announces the long-awaited return of the Norwood Food & Wine Festival as a part of the the electrifying AFL Gather Round extravaganza.
As these two iconic events join forces, it will bring the ultimate fusion of food, wine, entertainment and footy to the area, promising to inject a significant economic stimulus into the local community.
Returning for the first time since 2012, the Norwood Food & Wine Festival is making a vibrant comeback along The Parade, captivating the attention of both local residents and visiting footy enthusiasts.
“We know how much local and visiting footy fans loved Gather Round last year, and now we’re making it even bigger,” Malinauskas says.
“South Australians will well remember the Norwood Food & Wine Festival. Now, in the context of Gather Round, it becomes a prime opportunity to showcase our state’s amazing food and wine to the rest of the country, amidst music and roving entertainment.
“It will be fun, free to enter and the perfect celebration of our state and what it shares with
the world.”
Headlining the festival’s entertainment lineup is multi-ARIA award-winning indie rock band, The Temper Trap, renowned for their chart-topping hits including ‘Sweet Disposition’, ‘Love Lost’ and ‘Fader’.
“We love coming to South Australia – a state that loves festivals, having good times and of course footy,” The Temper Trap’s Dougy Mandagi says.
“We’ve done some really cool things with the AFL over the years and we are excited to continue that by playing in Norwood during Gather Round. See you there.”
In addition to the musical performances, the festival will feature a diverse array of local musicians, including the Dusty Lee Band and Motel Music.
Spanning a significant stretch of The Parade, from Portrush Road to Osmond Terrace, the festival will transform the precinct into a bustling hub of activity from 11 am to 8 pm on Sunday, 7 April. Attendees can enjoy the festivities while also catching the second of two matches at Norwood Oval, where Richmond will face off against St Kilda.
The festival’s reimagination aims to create an inclusive atmosphere, with free entry for all attendees. Big screens along The Parade and within participating venues will broadcast AFL matches, ensuring no one misses out on the action.
The precinct’s bars, cafes and restaurants will be joined by some of the state’s best wine, beer
and spirit producers for an afternoon of festivities in true South Australian style.
Local traders are gearing up to treat taste buds with a great array of offerings, ranging from fresh seafood to charcoal-fired dishes and unique cocktails, from fan favourites like arkhé, The Bath Hotel, 30 Acres, Norwood Hotel, and Danny’s Thai Bistro.
Tony Franzon, owner of The Bath Hotel, emphasised the importance of events like the Norwood Food & Wine Festival in boosting local businesses, drawing parallels to the success witnessed during last year’s Gather Round games.
“Events like this are so important for local traders. We saw the boost that Norwood’s two Gather Round games delivered last year – and now, with further focus and investment, we hope that benefit will grow even further,” Mr Franzon says.
A highlight of the festival will be the showcase of premium South Australian producers, including wineries, breweries, and distilleries, along with culinary demonstrations by celebrity chef Callum Hann at the Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel cooking demonstration stage.
Reflecting on the economic impact of the inaugural AFL Gather Round, which contributed over $83 million to the South Australian economy and attracted over 268,000 fans, the Norwood Food & Wine Festival is poised to further bolster the state’s tourism sector and showcase its vibrant culture to a wider audience.
Norwood Food & Wine Festival
When: Sunday 7 April, 11am – 8pm
Where: Along the Parade – from Portrush Road to Osmond Terrace
Price: FREE entry into the celebrations
More info: Click here