THE much-loved Laidley Spring Festival is spreading its petals well beyond festival weekend this year, launching a brand-new tourism program designed to turn a day at the Festival into a spring escape across the Lockyer Valley.
Introducing Bites, Blooms & Beyond, a first-of-itskind collection of spring-inspired experiences running from September 1-20, bookending the Laidley Spring Festival and giving visitors almost three weeks of reasons to hit the road, explore the region and stay a little longer.
Visitors can pick their own daisies in a flower field, buy roadside roses, build a market-fresh posy, settle in for high tea, decorate cupcakes while tasting locally distilled gin, order a spring-inspired lunch and cocktail, collect a locally packed picnic box, sip an elderflower drink or Spring Blossom Matcha Latte, take the kids for a nursery train ride, or check into a country stay and make a weekend of it.
The initiative brings together local growers, makers, cafes, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and tourism operators to showcase another side of the Lockyer Valley during one of its most beautiful times of year.
And with the Valley sitting just an hour from Brisbane and Toowoomba, Bites, Blooms & Beyond is squarely aimed at the booming drivemarket traveller – those looking for an easy day trip, spontaneous country escape or weekend away without having to travel halfway across Queensland.
Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan said the new program was about encouraging visitors to see more of the region and ensuring the economic benefits of the Festival were shared more broadly.
“The Laidley Spring Festival has always been a wonderful celebration of our community, but Bites, Blooms & Beyond gives visitors another reason to explore beyond the Festival itself,” Mayor Milligan said.
PICK IT, SIP IT, EAT IT, STAY
The inaugural Bites, Blooms & Beyond line-up includes:
- Grace Eats – settle in for a spring High Tea.
- Baked by Brooke & Liquidus Distillery – combine cupcake decorating with a gin tasting.
- Pohlmans Nursery – jump aboard the nursery train with a special festival-period discount, subject to minimum numbers.
- Gatton Florist – choose market-fresh flower stems and create your own spring posy.
- Porters Plainland Hotel – enjoy a spring-inspired lunch and seasonal cocktail.
- Wild Acres Flower Farm – wander through the flower field and pick your own daisies.
- Tins & Trays – toast spring with a special elderflower drink.
- Spano’s IGA Gatton – grab a specially created picnic box and find your perfect spot in the Valley.
- Gatton Campus Motel – stay a little longer with a special accommodation offer including meals.
- Love and Karma Gatton – sip the season with a Spring Blossom Matcha Latte.
The Laidley Spring Festival returns to the heart of the Lockyer Valley just outside Brisbane from September 11- 12 in Laidey and September 13 in Forest Hill, transforming into a colourful celebration of community, country hospitality, live entertainment, local produce and springtime traditions.
Across three spectacular days, Laidley and Forest Hill will come alive with vibrant street parades, twilight festivities under festoon lights, live music, markets, exhibitions, a massive Show ‘n’ Shine, a dedicated Spring Gardening Fair, family entertainment and authentic country experiences around every corner.
“The Laidley Spring Festival is about celebrating everything people love about country Queensland,” Mayor Tanya Milligan said.
“It’s colourful, welcoming, incredibly photogenic and packed with genuine country charm.”
Friday night festivities kick off with performances from Rheanna Leschke Band, Maddi and the Dreamers and crowd-favourite party act ANTHEMS! Live Band, delivering a huge night of singalong hits beneath the spring sky.
Saturday’s entertainment program brings Bluey and Bingo in real life in the Bluey Live Interactive Experience, before acclaimed Queensland country-pop outfit The Wet Whistles headline the afternoon celebrations.
The Laidley Spring Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
