The Weekender: September 19 – 21

CELEBRATE the World Peace Day with a free concert at Federation Square, sample a drink or two at the Blackburn Hotel, have a fun day out at the Royal Melbourne Show or pick up some handmade goodies in Glen Huntly. Daniel Driscoll has you covered this weekend.

World Peace Day Concert
Friday, September 19 (12.00pm – 2.00pm); Federation Square (Corner Swanston St and Flinders St, Melbourne) 

Photo: Rexness via Flickr

Photo: Rexness via Flickr

Federation Square will be holding festivities to celebrate World Peace Day in the main square this weekend.

The celebration of world peace will be accompanied by a lunchtime concert headlined by Hiatus Kaiyote, a Melbourne-based band whose unique brand of soul earned them a Grammy nomination in the R&B category. Local singer-songwriter Oscar Key Sung will be supporting the group.

Visitors will be able to not only enjoy the food offered during the day, but also take part in peace education activities and a ‘Wishing Tree’ community project. 

For more information about World Peace Day, check out the official website

Fluid Festival
Sunday, September 21 (11.00am – 5.00pm); Blackburn Hotel (111 Whitehorse Rd, Blackburn, Melbourne)

Beer. Beer. More Beer. Photo: Bernt Rostad via flickr

Beer. Beer. More Beer. Photo: Bernt Rostad via flickr

The Blackburn Hotel will play host to the Fluid Festival, a celebration of alcohol in its many forms. On offer will be a huge selection of the finest beers, wines, bourbons and ciders in production today.

Feral Brewing Company, Matilda Bay Brewing Company, Sail & Anchor, Pressman’s Cider and Coldstream Brewery are just some of the companies that will be on hand to give you a taste of their products.

Award-worthy drinks will also be offered by some of the best in the business, ranging from the World Beer Cup’s award-winning Endeavour Growler’s Bright Ale to the 2013 Good Food & Wine Show’s ‘Best Cider’ winner, Endless Cider.

For the alcohol enthusiasts, the Festival is also presenting ‘Meet the Brewer‘ masterclasses where you can gain insight into the business from folks like Ben Kooyman of Endeavour Vintage Beer, Julie Mackenzie of Matso’s Brewing Co and Jamie Chesher of Wild Turkey.

In addition to the alcohol, you are also invited to enjoy a delicious selection of paired food from the hotel’s bistro as well as live music from Melbourne’s award-winning blues band Geoff Achison and The Soul Diggers, supported by The Detonators and Blues Mountain.

Entry to the event is free and tokens to sample beverages can be purchased from $2 each.

Head to the Fluid Festival’s website for more information and to buy tokens.

Royal Melbourne Show 2014
Saturday, September 21 – Wednesday, October 1 (9.30 am – 9.30 pm); Royal Melbourne Showgrounds (Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale, Melbourne)

Image: fir0002 via Wikimedia Commons

Image: fir0002 via Wikimedia Commons

A Melbourne tradition, the Royal Melbourne Show is one of the city’s biggest calendar events of the year.

Those new to the show will find many to see and do during its 11-day run. Like any good fair, numerous rides, home-made food and beverages will be offered to visitors. The dizzying sight of showbags, each containing an assortment of goodies, is common both at the fair and at Flinders Street Station. So don’t miss out and be sure to invest in one (or more)! 

Animals are also a major part of the show. Petting areas, specifically the Animal Nursery, will allow visitors to get up close and personal with various baby farm animals including cattle, sheep and horses. Sheep shearing and cow milking will also be on offer for those wishing to sample a taste of the farming life.

The popular, towering ferris wheel of the Royal Melbourne Show will also make an appearance. Visitors will be able see some spectacular views of the Melbourne Showgrounds and across greater Melbourne.

Finally, the Adventure Zone of the show will get you moving with bungees, rock climbing, water balls and more!

For more information on the Royal Melbourne Show, visit the show’s official website. Tickets can also be bought in advance!

The Handmade Show
Saturday, September 20 (10.30 am – 3.30 pm); Anthony’s Parish Hall (164 Neerim Rd, Glen Huntly)

Image: Handmade Show Facebook page.

Image: Handmade Show Facebook page.

The Handmade Show at Anthony’s Parish Hall is a free community-minded makers market, selling handmade goods by local artisans.

As a promotion of handmade arts and crafts, the market offers a wide variety of products for those looking to pick up something for themselves or gifts to others. Pick up a mix of handmade goodies including cards, decorative bunting flags and jewellery, handmade soaps, animal printed decor, handmade bags, mosaics and more!

If you get hungry, head to Cafe Handmade where you’ll find a selection of home baked cakes and beverages to enjoy.

More on the Handmade Show can be found at the market’s blog

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