Orange blossoms with two great events

It is one of the funkiest small towns in Australia. Think top-notch restaurants, a thriving coffee culture, vibrant arts and crafts, and a slow-paced way of life.

Orange, in the Central West of New South Wales, a three-and-half-hour drive west of Sydney, is booming as a weekend playground for big city refugees seeking a slice of sophistication with lashings of country charm.

Much of the boom in Orange (new hotels, bars and eateries) has been driven first by the success of the region as a food bowl (apples, cherries etc) and over the past 20 years by the immense success of the region's makers of cool-climate wines and ciders. 

And Orange has two major events coming up over the next couple of months: The Banjo Patterson Australian Poetry Festival and the F.O.O.D Week 2017, Australia's longest-running regional food festival, now in its 26th year.

The festival incorporates a number of signature events designed to appeal to both residents and visitors, as well as over 80 satellite events held by local restaurants, cafes and wineries.

Here is a list of some of the key events to what your appetite. 

Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival 

February 16-26, 2017

Rotary Brekky & Poetry in the Park  February 16, 18, 23, 24 & 25 from 7.30am-9am
Breakfast with Banjo February 17 from 7.30am - 9am
Banjo Paterson Festival Night Market February 17 from 5.30pm-8.30pm
Banjo Paterson Poetry Competition February 18 from 7pm 

Emmaville Cottage Family Market Day February 19 from 9am-2pm 

F.O.O.D Week 

March 31- April 9

Orange F.O.O.D Week Night Market, March 31, Robertson Park
F.O.O.D HQ – Daily from 11am -12.30pm at The Agrestic Grocer
Forage - April 8  
Sunday Producer’s Market – April 9, Cook Park

For details see https://brandorange.com.au/