Community members are invited to support local food vendors, listen to music and learn more about the environment at this year’s SelbyFest.
The festival – which runs from 2-8pm on Saturday, 26 November – will see local food and craft stalls, music and art performances and environmental information all on display at Selby Community House.
Community House Community Engagement Coordinator, Jordan Sibley, said that SelbyFest had been a beloved event for many years.
“Everyone loves it. Due to COVID, people have been isolated; coming to these events, you get to be part of your community again,” she said.
“You can see who you live near, what they make and what they do. It’s a family-friendly event and, this year, we’re really focusing on inclusivity.
“This isn’t an adult festival that kids are allowed to come to; SelbyFest is for everyone.”
Ms Sibley said that sustainability and environmentalism were major themes of the 2022 festival.
“There’s quite a large focus on sustainability – there’s organic food, we have a composting system and we’ve just partnered with Terracycle,” she said.
“We know many community members use single use household items. They can drop off items that can’t be recycled in household bins, including oral care items like Colgate toothbrushes, all shaving razors, skincare and beauty tubs and bottles and even writing instruments year-round. These items are then sent off to Terracycle to be recycled.”
SelbyFest received funding through Council’s 2022 Grants for Community round.
Ms Sibley said the grant funding and support from Council’s teams helped lock SelbyFest into the calendar.
“Each year, we couldn’t do this without the grants that we’re very generously given,” she said.
“We could make it work with 100 or so volunteers, but without the funding, we would have no arts program, no cultural program, no ability to provide shade, and we couldn’t support the environment groups that help restore Minak Reserve.
“The grants process was quite streamlined, and there’s always been someone to talk to. Having humans you can talk to and get suggestions from is incredible.”
Lyster Ward Councillor, Johanna Skelton, encouraged everyone to head along to SelbyFest.
“Gathering with people from our wider community to celebrate local art, music and food sounds like a perfect way to start winding up the year and there will be plenty of outdoor entertainment for people concerned about Covid risk to enjoy too.” Cr Skelton said.
“I’m proud that Council has been able to support SelbyFest with Grants for Community funding. This kind of funding support gives groups certainty that they can turn their ideas into reality, without over-extending themselves just to try and make the ends meet.
“SelbyFest is always a great representation of local values. Artistic talent and creativity, micro businesses and friendly community groups and an obvious love for the environment and community. I’m looking forward to this year’s festival and seeing lots of familiar and new faces from around Yarra Ranges”
Selbyfest will be held from 2-8pm on Saturday, 26 November, at Selby Community House, 2/1 Minak Road, Selby.
