Coming up next Saturday, the annual Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival offers an action-packed day out for the whole family.

The Carnival begins  with a street parade, followed by the woodchop and live music, plus loads of  fun stuff.

Carnival organisers say those who get along this year can expect plenty of gumboot throwing, the popular pet  show, treasure hunt, kids novelty  games and races, face-painting, a tug-o-war, market stalls, delicious eats and licensed bars.

It all happens at the beautiful  Blackwood Recreation Reserve.  See you there, Saturday, April 19 from 10am to 6pm.  

Image: Contributed  

The annual Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival means lots of things to lots of people. Think woodchop, live music, kids’ events, market stalls, a parade, gumboot throwing, sack races, stalls, great food and, of course, Devonshire tea.

And right about now, it’s all coming together in readiness to host about 4000 people on Saturday, April 19 from 10am .

Committee member Angelko Juresko says the music line-up will be great with The Johnnys from Sydney and a few local bands organised to boot in order to keep toes tapping.  

“The music is good and that’s a relatively new addition to the carnival, it’s  only been here for a few years,” Angelko says.

“We also have the parade at 11am which is a crowd favourite. A lot of people like to watch the parade, which is led by a band, and then  follow it down to the reserve. It’s a lot of fun.”  

Angelko says the event has a big team, with about 19 people involved – plus another six from the Blackwood Progress Committee.  

“So that’s a fairly large group doing the organising and I think it’s worked really well. Everybody’s had a smaller job to do.

“In other years we have had people burn out  because they are doing too much but not this year. And everyone is committed to a  great day out.”  

Angelko says the woodchop has been going for more than 50 years and brings in quite a few people just to watch that event.  

“It’s just a great country festival and a fantastic day out. We hope to see everyone there. And I am looking forward to that Devonshire tea.”

Easter Saturday is a special day in Blackwood. Each year, the town hosts the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival, now in its 121st year, and the second-oldest festival in Australia.
The event was recently awarded the title of Moorabool Shire’s Community Event of the Year 2023.

Spokesperson Fiona Ross, on behalf of the Blackwood Progress Association, said the street parade, featuring striking costumes and floats, was a highlight of the morning’s events.
“Accompanied by a brass band, the parade makes its way from the town centre down to the Lerderderg River and the Recreation Reserve – known as ‘the prettiest sportsground in Victoria’ – where the carnival and woodchop take place.”

The Blackwood Woodchop is one of the oldest woodchopping competitions in
Victoria, with axemen and women travelling from across the state to compete for the
coveted titles and prize money.
“The carnival is action-packed, with tug-o-war, gumboot throwing and a pet
show among the many activities happening throughout the day. And to honour
Blackwood’s gold-mining history, there is the chance for everyone to try their hand at
gold-panning.
“A family-friendly event, there is loads of other fun stuff for kids too – the treasure hunt, novelty games and races, face-painting and more. With live music, market stalls, delicious eats and licenced bars, the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival offers something for everyone,” Fiona said.
The event is organised by the Blackwood Progress Association with proceeds from
ticket sales going to support numerous community groups.
Discounted earlybird tickets can be bought online in advance or buy your tickets
at the gate on the day, Easter Saturday, April 8.
Tickets: www.trybooking.com/CFPDV