Taste of the Huon festival to help the bushfire recovery

This year’s Taste of the Huon festival couldn’t have come at a better time, organisers and stallholders say.

Andrew Smith of Willie Smith's is pictured in his orchard ahead of this year's Taste of the Huon festival at Ranelagh. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE scheduling of this weekend’s Taste of the Huon festival couldn’t have come at a better time, organisers and stallholders say.

Just weeks after severe fire warnings were activated for parts of the Huon, causing lasting impacts on residents and local businesses, the annual Taste of the Huon, starting Sunday, looks set to give the region a much-needed boost.

Festival manager Roger Oates said Huon residents and event stallholders had pulled together in the days leading up to the event, which he said was a sign of community strength after what’s been a tough summer.

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“I’m seeing a lot of community spirit happening this year and it does reflect back to what’s been happening with the recent fires,” he said.

“It seems like people are pulling together more and really looking to help each other out with things.”

Willie Smith’s Cider will launch the company’s new can range at the festival today.

Business co-founder Andrew Smith said he expected this year’s festival to be one of the biggest in the event’s 27-year history.

“I think this year will be huge and there will be a lot of support following the bushfires,” he said.

“There’s nothing like a bit of adversity to make you focus on what’s important.”

Mr Smith said the event would be a welcome relief to the company after the recent fires caused Willie Smith’s Cider to lose around half a month’s worth of trading.

A Taste of the Huon is held at the Ranelagh Recreational Grounds Sunday from 10am to 5pm and Monday from 10am to 4pm.

There will be more than 90 stalls, featuring food, drinks and artisan products from the Huon Valley.

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