Music and family fun at Spring Ditch

WOOD chips are to fly when North East and Border Axeman’s Association showcases some of its members skills in a demonstration to be run at next month’s Spring Ditch in the Stanley Recreation Reserve. Beechworth Music Festival’s (BMF) diverse and gender inclusive event in its fourth year has an action-packed family fun day on Saturday, March 1 with something for everyone. From apple and spoon races, face painting and sack races for the kids to the Golden Boot toss, highland games, a fun run, cricket, a spinning wheel and everything in between. Music is set to pump with a difference when headline act Afrobiotics, a six-member band from Melbourne, hits the stage with its undulating and interwoven rhythms and fiery energy. Spring Ditch co-founder Lex Fletcher said the band will bring a cool summer vibe to the afternoon for all families and friends at the event. “The musicians are influenced by African and singles music, so it's a real rhythmic cacophony with amazing summer sounds,” he said. Among talented musicians includes Beechworth’s rising star – singer and song writer Samara Bright and Melbourne-based Magic Bean Guillotine led by former Beechworthian Sam Shallue. Four-piece rock n roll/rhythm and blues band Minnie and The Moonrakers will entertain the crowd too along with Albury Wodonga’s dynamic young four-piece band Lucey. Co-founder Rikki Raadsveld said many community organisations are involved in the day with local businesses on board too. “We just have so many people who love the event because of the community vibe,” she said. Lex said the events tipped its hat to the old Stanley New Year's Sports Day. "There are so many things that we can do in a modern manner in regards to the past and marries together well,” he said. Rikki said visitation numbers had doubled since the event started with more than 1200 event goers attending last year. “There’s a wide demographic of people from young families with babies to 90-year-olds,” she said. “It's a safe space where kids can run wild too and they’re under the optics of everyone." Rikki said the Stanley New Year's Day sports aspect also brings back many memories for locals and they were sad losing the sports back in the 90s. “I think this has really brought a new life to the village and at an increasing rate of drawing more than 300 people each year it has grown beyond our expectations,” she said. Local CFAs in Beechworth and Stanley, Stanley Athenaeum, Stanley Landcare, the community post office, Stanley and Recreation Reserve committee and Beechworth Primary School Parents and Friends Association will be among recipients of fundraising dollars from the day. Lex said with dedicated band of helpers from day one when the BMF kicked off in 2014 there’s now a large volunteer base with many people still joining. “Volunteers really help with the event in the lead up and to run smoothly on the day," he said. “We couldn't do it without them and Rikki and I are blessed to have such good friends to help us in so many ways. “We have some great sponsors that give to us regularly each year with a few new ones again this year. “Independent Federal MP for Indi Helen Haines is going to be our official guest and visitor on the day. "Our MC John Walker, famous from television and film will be the MC and Jane Doe is the DJ." A shuttle bus will be running hourly from Beechworth to and from Stanley. For more information about the event and tickets visit www.springditch.com

Music and family fun at Spring Ditch

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