The free, family-friend Foothills Festival landed in Upwey on Sunday 21 October.
Upwey’s Grassroots Market team wanted to create an event that would celebrate the local community, and sponsorships from the Upwey Community Bank and grants from the Yarra Ranges Council funded it.
“We felt that so much of our community loved coming to the market to connect and enjoy the village of Upwey’s Main Street,” market co-ordinator Jacqui Buckland said.
“Combine this with the huge (amount of local) musicians, artists, producers, practitioners, sporting, special interest groups, clubs, and the multiple dynamic not-for-profit community groups Upwey is home to, we felt it just had to be celebrated.”
The street party-like festival featured roving street performers, skate workshops, art and craft activities, dance troupes and circus acts, buskers and diverse food offerings.
The Foothills Festival also celebrated the anniversaries of the Upwey Community Bank and CFA.
“We hope to turn the Foothills Festival into an annual event, incorporating our neighbours in Ferny Creek, Upper Ferntree Gully and Tecoma,” Ms Buckland said.
