Eleventh hour miracle for A Taste of the Huon

A last minute cancellation of a headline music act looked set to derail celebrations at A Taste of the Huon, but an eleventh hour miracle happened when a prominent Tassie band stepping in.

A last minute cancellation of a headline music act looked set to derail the evening celebrations of A Taste of the Huon, but at the eleventh hour a miracle happened.

Tasmanian band The Wolfe Brothers rose to the occasion when Bruny Island act Maddy Jane became unwell, announcing their last minute impromptu show for the Sunday night and “crashing the festival website” in the process.

“Their manager flew the drummer over from Melbourne so they could all play … it was a fantastic concert with everyone dancing into the night,” president of the festival’s organising committee Rosemary Bennett said.

“We will forever be grateful to them.”

The two-day festival has thrilled organisers with a “record day” of 12,000 patrons on Sunday and around 2000 on Monday, all sampling the food and beverages that showcase the region’s bounty.

The lure of the finest hot chips and ice cream drew littlies Lucy, three, and Lilah van Beest, five, of Hobart to the festival.

Sam, Lucy 4, Ted 2 and Samantha Wilson- Haffenden of Richmond at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

“They loved the music and the dancing and had a really great time, we caught up with some family and had a nice day,” father Michael van Beest said.

Venturing a bit further than his daughters with flavours, Mr van Beest opted for some bao buns and buffalo fried cauliflower.

“I hadn’t tried it before but I was pleasantly surprised, I am very much a meat eater but am always happy to try some new things,” he said.

Festival veteran and owner of Tasmanian Pasta and Sauce Co, Matteo Rao designed a brand new dish for this year’s menu which was a hit with patrons.

“The Huon salmon pasta had dill, capers, white wine and cream, all with fresh made pasta,” he said.

Tilly Whitfield 12 rides a Crazy Bike at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It’s nice to come to a well-run country festival, and to see Tasmanians supporting other Tasmanians.”

Ms Bennett said funds raised from the festival will first go to putting on the 2023 event and then $2-3000 will be distributed to Huon Valley community groups such as the football club, Rotary, Scouts and Cubs.

After a year of Covid-madness the festival brought “happy times” to the Huon Valley.

“It was a chance to have some fun again, out of lockdown, masks off, mixing with friends and family,” Ms Bennett said.

PICTURES FROM THE WEEKEND

Lucy van Beest 3, Lilah van Beest 5 and Amelia Marris 5 all of Hobart at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Daryl Peebles with kids Luella Wise 4, River Becker 5 and Olive Wise 4 at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Sam, Lucy 4, Ted 2 and Samantha Wilson- Haffenden of Richmond at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmanian Pasta and Sauce Co. owner Matteo Rao at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmanian Pasta and Sauce Co. owner Matteo Rao at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Booze Bus owner Gus Jedamzik at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Emily Redman 6 and Mya Williams 3 of Huonville ride the Tea Cups at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Volunteers Ada Brassington, Zoe Kumar and Rosie Clark at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Fiona Langford of Magra and Lucy Cooper of Kempton at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Cafe de Paris owner Andrew Driscall and assistant Miriam McCormack serve ice creams at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Cafe de Paris owner Andrew Driscall and assistant Miriam McCormack serve ice creams at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Heidi Cargill 6 dances with her Pop Ian Such at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tammy Baird with her kids Florence 4 and Hugo 6 of Hobart at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tammy Baird with her kids Florence 4 and Hugo 6 of Hobart at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tyler Hudson performs at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Austyn, Roger and Traci Skierka of Claremont at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tilly Whitfield 12 rides a Crazy Bike at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Uncle Gus and the band perform at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Austin Hucker 5 of Ranelagh rides the Tea Cups at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd

Stuart Morse and son Oliver 3 of Kingston at A Taste of the Huon. Picture: Chris Kidd