Trentham’s newest event on the calendar, Winterfest, lit up the town on Friday, August 2 with businesses trading late and lighting up the town with colourful light displays.

The town’s traders embraced the cold winter night and celebrated with light projections, neon displays and special events.

Little Gallery held the opening night of their annual fundraising Winter Exhibition with proceeds benefiting local community groups and showcasing local and regional artists.

Belle Property director Will Walton, one of the organisers through Belle Property Trentham, said the feedback had been exceptional with the event attracting lots of crowds to Trentham hospitality businesses.

“The Trentham traders did a wonderful job embracing the event and putting on a bright colourful show. I imagine next year will be bigger and better.”

The next traders’ event is the regular Christmas traders’ night on the last Friday in November.

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Belle Property Trentham   

Winterfest transforms Trentham this Friday, August 2 from 4pm to 8pm with businesses trading late and lighting up the town with colourful light displays.

In the spirit of a European midwinter festival the town’s traders are embracing the cold winter night and celebrating the chill with light projections, neon displays and special events happening within each business.

Hepburn Shire mayor and Trentham local, Cr Brian Hood is among those looking forward to the debut free family occasion that’s hoped to become an annual fixture on the region’s calendar.

“It’s just such a good cause. It’s going to help all of the local traders and will help the whole mood of the town in the middle of winter,” said Cr Hood.

Cr Hood makes no secret of his enjoyment of community events and will be among quite a number of locals glamming up for the wintry occasion which is offering plenty of enticement to get out and be part of the sparkling atmosphere.

Little Gallery celebrates opening night of their renowned annual fundraising Winter Exhibition with proceeds benefiting local community groups and showcasing local and regional artists.

Featuring works by 16 talented artists from the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges shires, the exhibition launch gets started from 5.30pm with nibbles and drinks provided and all welcome.

“Our famed art raffle is offering $10,000 worth of original artworks donated by local artists with all proceeds donated to the East Trentham Fellowship,” Little Gallery’s Rose Wilson says.

“People will be able to buy a ticket on the night and they’ll be available for the duration of the show. Expect glow sticks, human butterflies and amazing art,” Rose says.

The gallery has raised funds for groups including Trentham Wildlife Rescue, The Path of the Horse and The Quarry Street Reserve. Tickets at www.raffletix.com.au/2024wintershowraffle

Just some of the participating traders include:

The Green Store – The theme at The Green Store for WinterFest is Aurora Borealis. The store will transform into a winter wonderland. There is also a book launch/ signing by author Caroline Parker for her first book The Medicinal Garden.

Belle Property – Enjoy the Belle Property Trentham neon experience, with bright colourful neon installations by international visual artist Carla O’Brien from Volter International.

Little Gallery – Little Gallery is set to light up with a night of shimmering glow for the grand opening of the highly anticipated annual Winter Show fundraising exhibition.

Bendigo Bank – Community Bank Trentham – Community Bank Trentham is lighting up Town Square for a magical and fun experience for all. Drop by and pick up some glow sticks.

Cosmo – Cosmopolitan Hotel is inviting festival goers to warm up beside the fireplace while sipping on a winter cocktail or mulled wine.

They’ll also be lighting up their exterior, with plenty of warming candles inside.

Words & image: Eve Lamb

(Wings courtesy of Rose Wilson at Little Gallery) www.tlnews.com.au  

Trentham is preparing to ramp up the seasonal atmosphere and sparkle as  the town hosts its inaugural Winterfest event.  

Set for Friday, August 2, the debut trader-led evening event aims to light up  the little town, converting it into a winter wonderland featuring artist-curated light  installations and plenty of LED and neon razzle dazzle.  

One of the innovative forces behind the new event, Will Walton of Belle Property,  is especially looking forward to seeing the Trentham Belle office on the corner of  Market and High streets transformed with a neon light installation for the occasion.

 “It’s a trader-led winter trading experience for locals and visitors,” Will says.  

A fair chunk of the town, including Market and High streets, will be activated  with late trading offered by many of the town’s businesses, including plenty of special  dining opportunities.

The Bendigo Bank will be teaming up with the Trentham Lions  Club to host an evening sausage sizzle in the town square.  Of special note, the town’s Little Gallery will be launching its much anticipated  Winter Fundraising Group Exhibition on the evening as well.  

The gallery’s long-standing winter show will feature works by 16 talented artists  of Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, with nibbles and drinks provided and over  $10,000 worth of raffle prizes to be won.  

The gallery launch gets going from 5.30pm on the evening and the show will then  run for three weeks, raising dollars for good community causes.

“I love the whole theme of the Winterfest. It’s beautiful,” said artist Rose Wilson  of the Little Gallery.

Rose says the gallery will be all lit up with a pink light theme and plenty of  additional glimmer and glam – including human butterflies – planned for the  occasion.  

Further enhancing the vibe, the first 100 children to show up at the Belle office  between 4pm and 7pm on the evening can expect to receive a free glow stick.  

Will says the event is hoped to become an annual fixture with local traders  encouraged to stage something a bit special to help warm winter, following the  success of the town’s annual twilight trading Christmas event at the other end of the  year.  

Supported by Daylesford Macedon Tourism, the festival runs from 4pm to 8pm.