Everything that is great about Wollombi and its surrounds will be on display this Saturday and Sunday.

“There is a whole host of other elements to the fair this year,” said Veronica Chambers, one of the organising team.

She cited the artisanal food showcase, scarecrow competition, small farms trade show and Mower Mardi Gras parade as new highlights.

In addition there will be live entertainment, wine tasting, Museum Open Day, historical re-enactments from the NSW Corps of Marine, a veteran car display, woodchop and of course a lantern parade.

More than 150 children from Wollombi, Laguna and Millfield primary schools have been making lanterns for the parade.

Artist Penny Walton helped the children decorate the lanterns with animal prints and motifs; all part of this year’s Noah’s Ark-inspired wildlife theme.

Gold coin donations from the lantern parade will go to Hunter Wildlife.

More information can be found at www.wollombismallfarmsfair.com.au.

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Sculpture event opens Saturday

The Hunter Region’s premier sculpture event, Sculpture in the Vineyards, is about to open for its 11th year.

This year’s festival, which opens this Saturday, features artists from as far as Victoria and Queensland alongside Hunter Valley and Sydney based sculptors.

As per previous years, the 2013 exhibition will feature more than 70 works which have been installed across six kilometres of Wollombi vineyards.

Event director Tara Morelos said that this year’s event will be like no other in Wollombi, with the introduction of new sponsors, programs and prizes.

“It is a very exciting time for Sculpture in the Vineyards,” Ms. Morelos said.

“Of course this doesn’t mean that old favourites like the small sculpture exhibition and our partner exhibition at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery won’t be taking place.”

This year the event will also feature new curator Danella Bennett.

The Cessnock branch of the Greater Building Society has also come on board as a new sponsor, to support the Emerging Artists prize.

“We are very grateful to have the support of The Greater who are offering a wonderful opportunity for an artist in the beginning stage of their career,” Ms. Morelos said.

This year’s event has also seen the launch of Sculpture in the Vineyards inaugural education program.

Through the generous support of Copyright Agency Limited, Sculpture in the Vineyards is able to offer school visits to the Hunter Region.

Education officer Rebecca Holmes has received bookings for more than 500 local students.

Students will be given the opportunity to tour the exhibition, make their own artworks and even hear directly from the exhibiting artists.

Sculpture in the Vineyards will run until December 1.