Still plenty on around the Top End despite no Royal Darwin Show

IT’S the Darwin Show Day public holiday today … but not as we know it

Sarah Smith and Ryan Roswell at the Royal Darwin Show last year. The spirit of the beloved event is still alive despite it being cancelled. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• Festival of Agios Panteleimon to bring slice of Kalymnos to Darwin

IT’S the Darwin Show Day public holiday today … but not as we know it.

While the beloved show was cancelled this year, we were still given a public holiday because show day is a set holiday for the Darwin region.

The spirit of the Darwin Show was alive and well this year with virtual competitions for the classic baking, crafts, and vegetable competitions.

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About 250 entires were received across 22 online categories.

The results are available on the show website, with local Chris Rutishauser the winner of one of the most anticipated contests — the giant pumpkin competition.

Chris Rutishauser enters his 27.8kg pumpkin in the annual pumpkin growing competition for the Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Che Chorley

His monster clocked in at 27.8kg.

While Territorians can’t snack on a dagwood dog or get the thrill of their life on a rollercoaster, there’s still plenty on this weekend.

The Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia and the Kalymnian Brotherhood Darwin are hosting the first annual Festival of Agios Panteleimon.

The Greek Festival which will replace Glenti in 2020 to be held at the Kalymnian Brotherhood in Marrara. Kalymnian Brotherhood Darwin president Michael Melas with Darwin Greek Community president Nick Poniris . Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Honeypuffs, souvla, and Greek music and dancing will be on display for Territorians who’ve missed the GleNTi festival. The celebration is at the Kalymnian Brotherhood grounds from 10am until midnight.

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Also on Saturday is the Graze Food and Wine Festival, an event for over 18-year-olds showcasing premium Australian wines and classic grazing sweet and savoury foods.

Graze Festival is back on this year, helping celebrate the best local food vendors and alcohol pairings across the NT. Event Organizers and Dimity Walker and Darlene Chin. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Territorians are being treated to a weekend of delightful weather with minimum 19C and 20C and a maximum of 32C to 33C according to the Bureau of Meteorology. It’s the perfect time to head out for a day trip or camping and explore the sights of the Territory.

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