By Parker McKenzie
People all across the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas are expected to enjoy delicious roasted chestnuts, food stalls, local craft products and more at this year’s annual Kalorama Chestnut Festival returning on Sunday 7 May.
The volunteer-ran festival, which is a joint fundraiser for Mt Dandenong Primary School and Mt Dandenong Kindergarten, has been running for over 30 years.
Coordinator Victoria Clarke, who is also an educator at Mt Dandenong Preschool, said the main stage will feature a good lineup of bands as well as the regular festivities.
“We’re trying to have a bigger focus on different chestnut things this time, like chestnut soups, chestnut cookies and more,” she said.
“It’s a massive community draw and what the hills is really about. It brings everybody together and is run solely by volunteers, there’s a huge amount of work put in.”
After Mt Dandenong Preschool was damaged during the June 2021 storm, it was forced to move to a temporary facility while a new preschool is being built on the Primary School’s grounds.
Ms Clarke said the Chestnut Festival is probably the most important fundraiser of the year.
“It keeps that tradition and brings the community together,” she said.
“You’ve got stalls, different foods, different craft stores and a lot of hard work goes into it.”
The festival is supported by local businesses and is held at the Kalorama Oval. Other stalls on the day will include poffertjes, homemade cakes, sausage sizzles, stalls from local restaurants, mulled wine, coffee, tea and chai, and local produce.
Ms Clarke said she often sees previous students from the school return to the festival as adults.
“Losing the kinder, it was something that really drove me to step up and start coordinating it,” she said.
“I see families that I haven’t seen in a long time come back. The Hills community is very special and it’s really important to come together and celebrate.”
Parking on the day at the Oval costs $5, with all proceeds going towards the Ferny Creek Club Scouts.
For more information on the chestnut festival, visit chestnutfestival.org.au/site
