Orange Blossom Festival – save the date
Published on 19 July 2019
The Hills Shire Council’s Orange Blossom Festival – Lights, Beats and Eats returns this September with a brand new look, feel and location.
The community favourite will ignite Castle Hill Showground in colour, light and sound from 4pm to 9pm on September 14.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said there was something for everyone at the new-look Hills Shire Orange Blossom Festival.
“This year’s Hills Shire Orange Blossom Festival is bold, exciting, fresh and fun - offering something for everyone, so I encourage residents to save the date for this unmissable community celebration,” Mayor Byrne said.
“We’ve pulled together an exciting line-up of entertainment and activities to keep you entertained and inspired throughout the evening, including top live music acts that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike, dazzling light installations, delicious gourmet street food, roving entertainment, face painting and so much more.
“I’m very proud of our new-look Hills Shire Orange Blossom Festival and I look forward to seeing you all there – making unforgettable memories in the process,” Mayor Byrne added.
Highlights include:
- Entertainment: Acts on the night include children’s entertainment group Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band from ABC Kids, dance and acrobatic group Dauntless Movement Crew, The X-Factor Australia Season Three winner Reece Mastin and Aussie rock legend Jon Stevens.
- Food: Some of the best food trucks in the state will descend on the Showground, including Gelato Messina, Pimp My Chimney, Chur Burger, Smokin’ Grill Barbeque and Tsuru.
- Light installations: See and snap photos with beaming light installations, including trumpet flowers and giant inflatable mushrooms. Plus, there will be glow-in-the dark face painting and light-up fairy floss.
- Roving entertainment: To add to all the entertainment, LED dancers, hula hoop performers and fire twirlers will be wandering through the Showground on the night.
- Skating rink: Enjoy a skating session around the OBF roller rink.
- Fireworks: The evening event will end with a spectacular fireworks display.
In addition to the Hills Shire Orange Blossom Festival – Lights, Beats and Eats, here are some community associated events that will run as part of The Hills Shire Orange Blossom Festival, including:
Bella Vista Farm Open Day
Relax, explore or enjoy a family picnic lunch at Bella Vista Farm’s Spring Open Day.
The Friends of Bella Vista Farm are available to chat and answer any questions about the historic homestead and its history.
You can also pick up a treat from the Free Spirit Markets while you're there and enjoy a stroll around this beautiful slice of heritage in The Sydney Hills.
Event Organiser: Friends of Bella Vista Farm
Date: Sunday 1st September
Time: 9am – 2pm
Venue: Bella Vista Farm
Cost: Free
Seniors Dance
Show off your best dance moves at The Seniors Dance.
This dance is intended to encourage seniors to get out of the house and participate in a fun and healthy activity.
Event Organiser: 365 Care
Date: Monday 2nd September
Time: 11am – 4pm
Venue: Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground
Cost: Free
Website: www.365care.com.au
Hills Community Aid workshops
Hills Community Aid will be running a number of workshops as part of OBF, including the value of volunteering skills, buttercream frosting, ballet dance for beginners, coffee appreciation and creating a vision board for your life workshop.
Event Organiser: Hills Community Aid
Date: 4th September to 19th September
Time: Visit Hills Community Aid website for the scheduled times
Cost: Some workshops incur a fee
Website: www.hca.org.au
The Hills Schools Expo
The Hills Schools Expo showcases Sydney’s leading independent schools serving Sydney’s north-west and Hills district.
At the expo parents and families will be able to discuss their child’s specific educational needs with principals and teaching staff from many of Australia’s top schools.
Event Organiser: Dorsal Media
Date: Saturday 7th September and Sunday 8th September
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground
Cost: Free
For more information: www.schoolexpo.com.au
Ride IN2BMX – Come and Try
Experience the thrill of BMX racing in the upcoming Ride In2 BMX - Come and Try event, supported by BMX Australia. On the day, trainers will run children through a beginners training session, which will provide them with the basic skills required to ride around the Fred Caterson Reserve BMX track.
Event Organiser: Castle Hill BMX Club
Date: 7th September
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Venue: Castle Hill BMX Track, Fred Caterson Reserve
Cost: Free
For more information: www.bmxnsw.com.au/castlehill/clubhome.aspx
Kenthurst Fair
The Kenthurst Fair is a family fun-day run by The Rotary Club of Kenthurst.
Festivities include a street parade, bands, clowns, food stalls, carnival rides and stage acts.
Event Organiser: The Rotary Club of Kenthurst
Date: Sunday 8th September
Time: 9am to 3pm
Venue: John Benyon Rotary Park, Kenthurst
For more information: www.kenthurstrotaryclub.com.au
Computer Pals for Seniors Open Day 2019
Join a free question and answer session on anything to do with the internet, computers, tablets and smartphones. Information will also be provided on the many courses Computer Pals for Seniors offers to all seniors and retirees.
Event Organiser: Computer Pals for Seniors the Hills Inc
Date: Wednesday 11th September
Time: 10am – 1pm
Venue: Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground
Cost: Free
Website: www.cphills.org.au
Employment Workshop
This Employment Workshop will give attendees skills and tools to better equip themselves with their job search. This workshop will look to cover resumes, interview skills and job search skills.
Event Organiser: Olympus Solutions, a Member of Ability Options
Date: Monday 16th September
Time: 10am – 1pm
Venue: Rex Money Room, Vinegar Hill Library, Rouse Hill
Cost: Free
For more information: www.olympus.org.au
Australasian Native Orchid Spring Show
See colourful and native orchids in bloom. You can also purchase orchids at very affordable prices. Plus, members from the Australasian Native Orchid Society will be available to provide answers to your questions on orchid care and culture.
Event Organiser: Australasian Native Orchid Society (ANOS) Sydney Group
Date: Saturday 14th September – Sunday 15th September
Time: 8.30am – 4pm (Saturday) and 8.30pm – 3pm (Sunday)
Venue: Kellyville Village
Cost: Free
Orange Blossom Festival Annual Art Awards, presented by Castle Hill Art Society
Castle Hill Art Society will celebrate local art with the Annual Art Awards for adults and children. This exhibition also provides a great opportunity to buy original art from local artists.
Event Organiser: Castle Hill Art Society Inc.
Date: Saturday 14th September and Saturday 28th September
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: Castle Glen Community Centre, Ridgecrop Drive, Castle Hill
Cost: Free
Website: www.castlehillartsociety.org.au
Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra (Sydney Contemporary Orchestra)
Prepare yourself to be immersed, excited and inspired as The Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra takes to the stage and performs renowned orchestral hits.
The orchestra includes a talented mix of young music lovers, music students, young musicians and music teachers in Sydney and is directed by founding conductor, artistic and executive director, Dr Brian Chatpo Koo, and managed by the Management Committee of the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra.
Event Organiser: Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra (Sydney Contemporary Orchestra)
Date: Thursday 19th September
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Cost: Ticketed event
Venue: Pioneer Theatre
For more information: www.wsso.com.au
Bonsai Journey
This year’s Bonsai Show has something for everyone and includes a great display and well-stocked bonsai market place.
You can also build your own bonsai.
Event Organiser: Bonsai Society of Australia Inc
Date: Friday 20th September – Sunday 22nd September
Time: 10am to 5pm (Friday and Saturday) and 10am to 4pm (Sunday)
Venue: Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground
Cost: Ticketed event
For more information: bonsai.asn.au or search “Bonsai Society of Australia” on Facebook.
Hills Shire Symphony Orchestra Community Concert
Hear classical music performed by The Hills Shire Symphony Orchestra – a local group which aims to bring classical music to the Hills Shire by trained musicians.
Event Organiser: The Hills Shire Symphony Orchestra
Date: 20th September
Time: 7.30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Pioneer Theatre
Cost: $10 a ticket (children under 12 free)
For more information: www.hillsshiresymphonyorchestra.org.au
Hills District Light the Night
Light the Night is an inspiring twilight walk where friends, families and the local community come together to shine a lantern of hope. Blue to show your support, white for your own journey and gold to remember a loved one. By raising money and carrying a lantern at Hills District Light The Night, you will help light the way for those suffering from blood cancer. The money raised goes towards practical services and much needed research.
Event Organiser: The Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Limited
Date: Saturday 21st September
Time: 4pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Bella Vista Farm
Cost: Free
Website: www.lightthenight.org.au
Celebrating Women
Celebrate successful local women at the Soroptimist International Celebrating Women Event. This Orange Blossom Festival event aims to educate and empower local women to live their best lives through an educational and motivating seminar.
Event Organiser: Soroptimist International of the Hills Inc
Date: Saturday 21st September
Time: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Venue: Aveo Bella Vista
Cost: Ticketed event
Website: www.siswp.org
Cross Country Challenge
The Rotary Club of Castle Hill is hosting the Cross Country Challenge as part of The Hills Shire Orange Blossom Festival.
Challenge distances include 10.5 kilometres, 7.5 kilometres and 3 kilometres.
All funds raised from this event will be donated to Headspace and local charities.
Event Organiser: Castle Hill Rotary
Date: Sunday 22nd September
Time: 8am – 11am
Cost: This is a ticketed event
Venue: Bella Vista Farm
For more information: www.crosscountrychallenge.com.au
Pawsitive Steps – Mind, Doggy & Spirit Festival
Bring your furry friend for a wonderful walk through Castle Hill Showground.
There will be food stalls and entertainment on the day.
Event Organiser: Positive Vibes Foundation
Date: Sunday 29th September
Time: 11am – 3pm
Cost: Free
Venue: Castle Hill Showground
For more information: http://positivevibes.org.au
The Sydney Hills Garden Competition and Presentation Evening
The Sydney Hills Garden Competition recognises excellent gardens in The Hills District, while fostering a sense of pride in the community.
The competition has categories for a wide range of gardens, from courtyard gardens to veggie patches; from commercial and industrial sites to the normal house garden and the gardens of apartment complexes and school gardens.
The competition is run by the Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville Inc. To enter your garden in this year’s competition, head to the website to download the entry form.
Event Organiser: The Hills-Kellyville Rotary Club
Cost: Free
Website: www.hillsgardencomp.org.au