A festival for the people

In celebration of its 60th year, the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival is inviting the community to participate in a public forum.

The milestone festival, which will take place in 2026, is one of Queensland's longest-running and most beloved events, and president Russell Wantling highlighted the importance of engaging the local community in its future planning.

The public forum, on 24 October, will offer residents the opportunity to provide feedback and share ideas for the 60th Apple and Grape Festival.

"I think it's so important to receive feedback and take ideas from the local community because, at the end of the day, this is their festival," Mr Wantling said.

"Festivals need to reinvent themselves to stay relevant, or else you run the risk of becoming stale.

"There's so much competition in the market, and you want people to attend, enjoy, and take home great memories."

The Apple and Grape Festival's management committee, a team of seven, is keen to hear from the broader public to ensure the event reflects the tastes and interests of all who attend.

"As organisers, it's easy to fall into the trap of running a festival based on your own preferences," Mr Wantling added.

"But our committee isn't who makes up the numbers -- it's every person outside of the room.

"In an era where everyone is a social media critic, this forum gives people a chance to tell us what they want to see or what they think will work."

With the 60th anniversary approaching, Mr Wantling acknowledged the significance of the Diamond Jubilee milestone, especially as festival attendance across Queensland has been in decline.

"It's a sad fact that festival attendance in Queensland is dropping, and some festivals are even calling it a day," he said.

"We were lucky in 2024 that our figures jumped considerably, but it's not time to rest on our success.

"There aren't a lot of festivals that can boast 60 huge years, so it's important to put on a big show, and what better way to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee -- it just has a certain ring of importance."

Over its six-decade history, the Apple and Grape Festival has become deeply woven into the fabric of the Granite Belt. It's a celebration of the region's agricultural heritage, local pride, and cultural diversity, bringing in more than 80,000 visitors every other year.

"The Apple and Grape is the Granite Belt on a platter," Mr Wantling said.

"It celebrates who we are and what makes this region so great. People always refer to it as 'our festival.' Over the years, the community has taken ownership of the festival."

With events like the Italian Long Lunch (Banchetto Italiano), the Gala Ball, the massive Food and Wine Fiesta, and the iconic Grape Crush, the festival showcases the region's best while providing an economic boost to the Southern Downs.

"March is traditionally a quiet time for tourism on the Granite Belt, and this festival brings in a massive economic boost," President Wantling said.

"It's not just the direct impact, but the return visitation as a result of the festival is undeniable. Schools, non-profits, and other local organisations also benefit financially from their involvement in the festival."

In addition to the public forum, the Apple and Grape Festival will host a thank you event for volunteers on 3 November at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds Wine Pavilion. The barbecue lunch will provide a relaxed opportunity for the festival's organisers to express their gratitude to the many individuals who have given their time to make the event a success.

"We may only be a biennial festival, but the organisation behind it is never-ending, and all of this is done by volunteers," Mr Wantling said.

"Whenever we put the call out, they turn up, ready to help however they can. There's not one aspect of the festival that doesn't rely on someone giving their time without expecting anything in return.

"So, the least we can do is say thank you."

The thank you lunch will run from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm. RSVP by text to 0484 843 686 or 0439 420 289 with names and any dietary requirements by Sunday 20 October.