The 3rd annual Orange Winter Fire Festival launches on Friday and there is still time to take part no matter what your location.

Given the extraordinary circumstance we are all facing with the present pandemic, this year’s festival will be naturally be limited in scope and numbers, but there still ample opportunity to explore the region and participate in festival activities through the Orange region’s innovative VeryLocal Streaming Service.

“In the face of such uncertainty around COVID-19, it’s been a testing time for our tourism industry, who are all working extra hard to ensure their venues are compliant with existing COVID-safe guidelines,” said Orange360 Manager, Caddie Marshall.

The good news for operators is that there’s been an enormous amount of interest and ticket sales and indeed most in-person events are now sold out.

But thanks to VeryLocal, you can enjoy the festival from the comfort and safety of your couch!

VeryLocal is Australia’s first regional SVOD (subscription video on demand) platform and throughout the Winter Fire Festival it will showcase several digital channels featuring locally produced content, including a dedicated Slow TV channel.

To access the streaming platform interested viewers need to buy a $25 ticket, which will grant them unlimited access to the content from July 31st through to August 31st.

The platform is led by creative directors Alexandra Burke, of Arcadia Films, co-founder of the FBi SMAC Award nominated arts platform Prototype (youaretheprototype.art) and Bec Janek of Brick Road Pictures (producer of Cannes official selection 2018 film Dots).

“Very Local Streaming Service brings something completely new to audiences,” said Alexandra. “As the first regional streaming platform in Australia, if not the world, it offers a very different and compelling experience. The line-up satisfies for many reasons as it presents experts in their respective fields, whilst offering an intimate entry into a community. With so much hitting audiences daily from global streamers, we offer a soul-satisfying celebration of the very local!”

Highlights include: a special wine tasting with one of Australia’s great winemakers Philip Shaw. In a truly special event that’s not to be missed, join renowned wine critic Peter Bourne in conversation with Philip Shaw as they delve into his Hoosegg wine range, ranked in the top 15 wines in Australia by Huon Hooke’s Real Review. Purchase an at home tasting pack from the Orange Wine Centre and follow along at home.

Or, if beer is more to your liking, join Pioneer's head brewer Pete Gerber for a tasting of his award-winning beers. Tasting six packs can be purchased from the Pioneer Brewing website then join Pete online and he talks you through his farm-brewed lagers, IPAs and signature stouts.

Ex-Rockpool chef Dom Aboud and PS40’s Michael Chiem bring the Orange family together. Watch as Dom goes back to his roots to prepare a Lebanese feast over flames for his friends at the Union Bank Orange. See Chef Dom prepare lamb on the spit, chargrilled chicken and Lebanese flatbread, matched on theme with a chargrilled pineapple cocktail by guest bartender and good friend Michael Chiem (MC), owner Sydney's PS40, Time Out's Bar of the Year 2020.

In collaboration with Condo SkyFest, VeryLocal will also showcase a special presentation of Wiradjuri sky stories and dance, filmed at the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation.

Or tune in to ‘Slow TV’ and witness the traditional Japanese technique of turning miso, take a calming trip into the pine forests with expert foragers, observe the hypnotic processes of local artists, tune into life on the farm, or set fire to your TV with a round the clock bonfire. 

Subscribe now at www.verylocal.com.au or visit www.orangewinterfirefestival.com.au.