'Appreciate the Little Things' is the theme of this year's Grit and Resilience Festival, which will be held in Wangaratta's King George Gardens this Friday, 10 October.
The fourth annual event is designed to be a celebration of connection, inclusion and community spirit, with 60 stalls to be set up around the gardens, leaving plenty of space for activities like games, bubble creation and drumming.
It's timed to coincide with World Mental Health Day, and Wangaratta Grit and Resilience Program coordinator Bek Nash-Webster said there was no better way to reduce stigma around mental health than to "have a party about it".
Bek said the theme was a key factor in connection, which was the focus of the program.
"It's the little things that make such a big impact, and this festival is very much about appreciating the little things," she said.
The little extras at the King George Gardens next Friday will include 'welcome' Boomerang Bags packed by the Wangaratta Therapeutic Community; the chance for a free ice-cream; and the sheer joy of creating huge bubbles which will float across the gardens throughout the afternoon thanks to specially formulated Grit and Resilience bubble mixture.
"We have engaged with two Wangaratta High School students who are our bubbleologists, and will be manning our bubble station, to teach festival-goers how to make these massive bubbles," Bek said.
"It's a chance to stop and take a minute and - in line with the theme - appreciate a bubble floating through the sky."
As well as free coffee, ice-cream and fruit, there will be entertainment from Galen Catholic College's year 12 music students, In the Groove community drumming, a body balance class from M&M X-Treme, and a local circus performer who will be on hand to teach skills such as juggling.
"We also have a henna artist, face-painting, so many stallholders who are new to the festival including local social groups - and OAK FM will be doing a live broadcast," Bek said.
"For those who need some time out, there is our low sensory safe space marquee."
Woodfire pizza will be available for sale in the church carpark adjoining the gardens.
"We're really proud of the festival, and I think it speaks volumes for the work Grit and Resilience has done over the many years it's been in the Rural City of Wangaratta.
"We've got a strong reputation for making things happen."
The free and family-friendly Grit and Resilience Festival will be held in Wangaratta's King George Gardens from 4pm to 6.30pm on Friday, 10 October.
Following the event, the Grit and Resilience Program will host an Old School Night Out at the Tarrawingee Hall from 7pm, with entertainment provided by Sweet Buzz.