Inspired by Pagan tradition, the autumn equinox marks a moment of balance between light and dark, but at Uraidla Hotel, the focus for this new event is less on ritual and more on harvest, community and coming together as the seasons shift.
“For us it’s more about celebrating the harvest and how important it is for local community,” Uraidla Hotel Operations Manager, Mitch Moss said.
This Saturday, Uraidla Hotel will be bustling with locals and visitors alike for Autumn Equinox, and the hotel has the perfect vibe to fit the upcoming event.
The garden and courtyard spaces come into their own as the sun drops behind the Piccadilly Valley and the signature festoon lights act like stars in the night sky. The hotel seamlessly blends heritage charm and natural touches and isn’t just a pub, it actually brings together a bakery, café and brewery.
“This will be our first time hosting this particular event, but the beginning of an exciting new event calendar where we host seasonal celebrations like this one,” Mitch said.
The hotel is building out a calendar of seasonal celebrations, creating new reasons for locals and visitors alike to come together across the year.
For anyone familiar with its annual Winter Solstice celebration, this new event is expected to carry a similar feel, with a full day of live music, family activities, market stalls, a community parade, and plenty to eat and drink.
“Importantly, this is a joint project between the Uraidla Hotel and local community members, reflecting a shared commitment to keeping Uraidla Main Street active, connected and buzzing through community-led activity,” Mitch said.
Of course, food and drink will be a major part of the celebration, with the hotel leaning into seasonal local produce to shape the offering.
Alongside the regular hotel and bakery menus, guests can expect savoury dishes built around root vegetables and sweet treats with a strong apple focus.
“We’ve also asked our good friends at Hokey Pokey in Stirling to pop down and serve up some delicious ice cream to round out the day.”
Speaking of special features the event will also mark a couple of new drinks launches. Mulled wine will make its seasonal debut at the hotel, while Uraidla Brewery will unveil its exclusive Equinox beer, a double dry-hopped DIPA brewed specially for the occasion by head brewer Max Bowering.
After undergoing a massive four-year renovation and re-opening in 2016, the iconic pub is a must-visit gem amongst the rolling Hills landscape.
Walking through the doors of the pub, high-timber framework and exposed stone walls of the original Uraidla Hotel radiate plenty of rustic charm we expect from a classic hotel. The venue carries a big sense of local history behind its doors, with community memorabilia woven throughout the interior.
A banner declaring ‘Uraidla’s Worst Pub’ proudly hangs from the balcony, but a visit to the hotel is anything but.
By the sounds of it, Autumn Equinox may well become a new annual favourite.
Autumn Equinox
When: April 18th from 12pm
Where: Uraidla Hotel, 1198 Greenhill Road, Uraidla
For more info, click here.
