Bonfires, stargazing and hearty winter fare are on the menu this August as Orange fires for a new local winter festival.

Inspired by the Australian cracker night bonfire tradition the new Winter Fire Festival (3-5 August) will include bonfires, char grilled feasts, star gazing from both European and Indigenous perspectives and blazing Sunday lunches in country pubs, cafes and restaurants, said Caddie Marshall, General Manager of Orange360.

Ms. Marshall said August is the perfect time to showcase the Orange region in all its winter glory and she has her fingers crossed for another dusting of snow.

“We can offer people an authentic country winter experience with crisp clear days, starry skies, hearty food, cosy fireplaces and elegant cool climate wines,” Ms. Marshall said.

“We encourage everyone to get involved whether they attend an event or host their own bonfire party. We want to get the Orange region fired up and encourage locals to invite friends and family from near and far to come and cosy up this winter.”

Local producers and venues have designed some truly unique events for the new festival, Ms. Marshall said.

Friday 3 August:

Winter Wonderland at Millthorpe

On Friday 3 August, Millthorpe Village will turn into a winter wonderland with live music by Smith and Jones, and food and wine market stalls in Pym Street.

 A bus is available from 5:45pm at the Orange Visitor Information Centre, returning 8:30pm for $20pp return. Tickets available at www.orangewinterfirefestival.com.au.

Fiery Friday at Ross Hill Wines

There will also be Fiery Friday event from 6-8pm at Ross Hill Wines where you can enjoy an easy Friday evening by the outdoor fireplace enjoying soup and paella by renowned chef, Michael Manners, and a glass of delicious Ross Hill wine, all inclusive for $25pp. Bookings are essential. Call 02 6365 3233.

Saturday 4 August:

Come wassailing with us!

Join Small Acres Cyder, See Saw wines and Canobolas Dance Hall on Saturday for an evening of wassailing*, bonfires, music and entertainment while the grape vines and apple and cherry orchards are blessed in preparation for Spring.

Local wassailing dancers and local band the Honey Drippin’ Mudskippers will provide the evening's entertainment while Jo Robson catering will spoil attendees with a locally inspired two-course meal. Tickets also includes a drink on arrival.

Additional drinks will be available.. Please bring cash. Rug up, bring your dancing shoes and your friends for a fun and frivolous winter's night!

Saturday 4 August // 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm // $77.19 (booking fee included) // Canobolas Dance Hall - 504 Canobolas Road, Orange.

Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/come-wassailing-with-us-bonfires-local-food- wine-cyder-entertainment-tickets-47010887831

*To wassail: drink alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way. Wassailing: The ancient custom of visiting food/beverage producing area, reciting incantations and singing to the trees to awaken the plants and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit.

Molong Fire and Poetry

Enjoy a night of original contemporary Australian poetry and music provided by renowned storyteller, Frank Povah. Frank is an experienced character that will leave you captivated and in laughter. He will sing, tell stories and much more while you enjoy a camp oven dinner, damper and dessert.

Saturday 4 August // 7pm // $30pp // Freemasons Hotel, Molong.

Call the Freemasons hotel to book on (02) 6366 8512.

De Salis Ancestral Dinner

Join De Salis Wines for a sybaritic last supper. Step back to 1802 for the last days of the de Salis family in the Maira Valley, on the French Italian border. Will you raise a glass in commiseration or conspire with the revolutionaries. Dress appropriately for the period if desired. Expect a grand winter celebration. Enjoy a five course feast fit for the last supper by Racine Restaurant and fine wine by De Salis around the fire.

Saturday 4 August // from 6pm // $100pp // De Salis Cellar Door 125 Mt Lofty Rd Nashdale, Orange

To book visit https://desaliswines.vendecommerce.com/wines/products/de-salis- ancestral-dinner-sat-4th-august or phone 0403 210 703.

Fires in the sky at Dindima

Be guided through the fiery night sky by astronomers Trevor and Tina Leaman. Trevor is a PhD Researcher and member of the Australian Indigenous Astronomy Group. He is studying the astronomical knowledge & traditions of the Wiradjuri people of Central NSW. Provided: a telescope for observing the sun safely, the stars and planets at night. Fire pits for keeping warm. Hot soups, warm bread, hot drinks including mulled wine and sweet treats. Bring your own telescope and binoculars if you have them and a rug. Event run by Dindima Wines in conjunction with Dark Skies Downunder.

Saturday 4 August // 4pm-9pm // Adults - $25 each // Children under 5yrs FREE // Children 5yrs to 17yrs - $10 each // Family - 2 adults + 2 children - $60// Dindima Wines, 859 Cargo Road, Nashdale

Bookings essential. Call Lee Bell on 0408 449 664.

‘Is there anything out there?’ An astronomical journey at Nashdale Lane Vineyard

Enjoy a hearty, gourmet meal from Racine Restaurant matched with Nashdale Lane’s premium wine by a roaring bonfire as you are taken on a magical, astronomical journey, igniting the mind and senses.

Led by the dynamic, passionate budding astronomer, Matt Dodds featured on ABC’s Star Gazing Live, the family-friendly evening is a relaxed, fun but informative navigation of Orange’s stunning, winter night sky. Using high powered, professional telescopes and guided laser presentation, witness well known and less known galactic wonders like Tarantula Nebula, the mystical beauty of the Jewel Box Open Cluster and (one that will really impress your mates next time you causally point it out), Omega Centauri – an awe-inspiring globular cluster of 10 million stars to Saturn, to name but a few!!

Saturday 4 August // $55pp // 4:30pm – 9pm // Nashdale Lane Wines, 125 Nashdale Lane, Orange // $55 adult (incl. booking fee), $132 family (incl. booking fee + 2 children: 6 -17yrs, additional children $11/head). Children 5 years gain free entry (kids meals can be purchased). Ticket price includes a glass of Nashdale Lane wine on arrival, a hearty, gourmet meal and freshly baked breads from Racine Restaurant (kids meals feature Racine Bakery’s famous sausage rolls + juice), astronomy laser presentation, use of high powered telescopes, a roaring bonfire (or cosy up inside the stylish, new cellar door). Additional drinks available at cellar door prices, by glass or bottle. No BYO.

Tickets at - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/is-there-anything-out-there-nashdale-lane- vineyard-tickets-47153556557 or email hello@nashdale.com.

Mulled, Cured and Delicious

Explore the beauty of the night sky a different way with iPads and iPhones. Be able to locate the planets, the stars, and their constellations with ease as you are guided to all major aspects of the night sky.

Enjoy a mug of Montoro Wine’s sensational mulled wine made from their 2014 Pepper Shiraz and enjoy a barbequed German sausage or Kransky slowly cooked to perfection on a new German Schwenker grill as the bonfire burns. Live music and soothing sounds will make this night one to remember.

Bring iPads, iPhones, chairs, rugs, scarves and warm head gear to fully enjoy the red coals of the fire and the quiet ambiance and beauty of a perfect night sky.

MULLED Wine by Montoro + BBQ German sausage by CURED = DELICIOUS

Perfect Sky + Bonfire + free App to explore the night sky = MUST DO!

Saturday 4 August // 6pm-9pm // $40 per adult and $20 per child over 12 yrs // Montoro Wines, 432 Cargo Road, Nashdale.

The Aussie Fire Buckets’ Camp Oven Cook Off in Eugowra

The Aussie Fire Buckets’ Camp Oven Cook Off is a fun day for people of all ages! There will be market stalls, BBQ, raffle, cake stall, bar facilities, music and a FREE kids entertainment area with jumping castle!

The camp oven cooking competition has five categories: Best Damper, Best Main, Best Cake, Best Local Dish, and Best Junior Dish. There’ll also be a billing boiling competition!

Tickets are available at the gate. Camping sites are available from the Eugowra Show Society. For more info contact Kim Storey 0467 315 172.

Saturday 4 August // 10am-10pm // Eugowra showground // Gate entry $10 for adults, kids free. To enter the camp oven cooking competition $10 adults and $5 juniors.

Sunday 5 August:

Warm Mulled Cider and Apple Tarts by the Fire

What better way to get warm on a winter’s day than from the inside out. Enjoy mulled cider with warming spices, as well as apple crumble tarts which will be available all day at Small Acres Cyder cellar door where you can also enjoy tastings of their premium range of ciders.

Sunday 5 August // 11am-4pm // from $5 // Small Acres Cyder, 12 Akhurst Road, Borenore.

Cosy Sunday Lunch at the Carcoar Royal Hotel

Take a Sunday drive in the country to Carcoar, a beautiful historical village with impressive buildings and cottages. Enjoy a cosy, country meal at the hotel. We suggest $15 for our country roast is a great bargain and delicious. Take a stroll around the village streets, see the Belubula River as it runs through the middle of town. There are a number of shops with pottery, homewares and clothing on offer, espresso coffee at the village grocer and as well as a toy museum that are all across the street from the hotel.

Sunday 5 August // 12pm-1pm // $Various // Carcoar Royal Hotel, 6 Belubula St, Carcoar.

Sunday Roast at The Lord Anson

Enjoy a Sunday Roast with all the trimmings all day and night for $20.

Sunday 5 August // from 12pm // $20 // The Lord Anson, 224 Anson Street, Orange.

Cargo Village Market Day

Make a trip to the Central Wests ‘Heart of Gold’ and enjoy music, market stalls, kids entertainment, food and drinks at the Cargo Markets.

Sunday 5 August // 10am – 2pm // Cargo Village Green

Sunday Street Food at The Greenhouse of Orange

Enjoy your Sunday lunch on a rooftop complete with firepits and delicious food and drink!

Sunday 5 August // 12 noon – 2pm // 44 Sale Street, Orange

For more information visit www.orangewinterfirefestival.com.au