There are so many festivals and exhibitions to choose from as the Labour Day long weekend rolls into the Central Highlands.

First up, ChillOut. The long-running LGBTIQA+ festival is huge and happening right over the weekend, from March 7 to 11.

There are too many events to list here but the Grand Parade along Vincent Street on Sunday is always a hit (feel free to cheer on The Local) and then head to Victoria Park to relax for the afternoon. Check out pages 14 and 15 (This edition of The Local, online and hard copy) for loads more ideas.

If art is more your thing, head to Newstead and surrounds for the Newstead Open Studios Art Trail happening over the long weekend and also March 16 and 17.

There are plenty of talented artists who are opening their studio doors so people can take a peek inside to see how they work and create their amazing pieces.

Head to page 7 to read about ceramicist Sarah Koschak, whose fascination with pottery began as a small child and never really left.

And Newstead Hub is hosting Mysterious Landscapes over the weekends of March 2 & 3, 9 & 10 & 11, 16 & 17 and 23 & 24 with the opening on Sunday, March 3 at 2.30pm.

Another great event is the Clunes Historic Vehicle Show, happening at the Clunes Showground on Sunday, March 10. There are trucks, cars, tractors, engines and caravans on display – maybe make a weekend of it and take up the offer of camping.

Women are also celebrated in March with International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8. The Cosmopolitan Hotel is holding an inaugural charity lunch that day with proceeds to Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health.

And the International Women’s Day Heather Mutimer Honour Roll event will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall on Thursday, March 7.

And that’s all just for starters. Read the rest of The Local for more great events, festivals and exhibitions happening throughout March. Oh, Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival is coming up. Check out the back page. Words: Donna Kelly

Newstead is a dynamic centre for artists of all stripes and once again the little town that punches above its weight when it comes to creativity is inviting people to visit its studios and exhibition spaces over three weekends.

This year 18 artists, including Roger McKindley, pictured, are involved in the trail,
showing their work across 14 locations.

The Newstead Arts Hub will be showing ‘It’s a Small World’ sculpture prize.

The Newstead Open Studios Art Trail began in 2015 and since then thousands of people have
made their way around the ever-expanding map.

It is a great chance to see first-hand the inner workings of an artist’s studio and pick their brains
about the how, what and why of their creative process.
This year the line-up includes printmakers, jewellers, painters, potters, fibre artists, photographers and sculptors.

For an overview of individual artist’s work the artistically curious can go to www.newsteadopenstudios.org while those who visit six studios in person can enter the draw for a door prize comprised of work
donated by participating artists.

The prize is drawn April 15.

The Central Goldfields town of Newstead is 10 minutes from Castlemaine. The
trail is on March 25-26, April 1-2 and April 8-9, 11am to 5pm. Look out for the red
flags around town.

Further information is available from Belinda Prest on 0490 865 626.
Links: www. newsteadopenstudios.org
Facebook: Newstead Open Studios
Instagram: @newstead_open_studios