Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Mudgee region could be home to a 'Festival of Snags', with the idea shortlisted as a finalist for Wotif's 'Festival of Wot?' - beating thousands of proposals from across the country.
And as part of the pitch, Mudgee will host seven live weather crosses for the Today Show this Thursday morning.
Chosen for originality, tourism appeal and relevance to the local area, the four finalists represent the many unique stories and characters that make up regional Australia.
The Festival of Snags would be a showcase of the exceptional produce of the Mudgee region, in the form of an event dedicated to Australia's unofficial national dish and celebrate with locals and visitors alike.
Wotif - an online travel site - came up for the competition after their research found that almost 40 per cent of Australians travel specifically for events and festivals - and close to half (48 per cent) wish they attended more.
Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor, Des Kennedy, said, "to host the Festival of Snags would reinforce Mudgee as a foodie destination".
"Mudgee is excited to be nominated as a Festival of Wot? destination," he said.
"We're proud of our local wine, produce and meats that are grown and produced locally.
"Our farmers are working tirelessly in tough drought conditions, so hosting the Festival of Snags will be a great opportunity to put our farmers and their amazing products on display."
The vote is now in the hands of the Australian public, who will decide which festival should take place. With Wotif set to bring the winner to life before the year's end.
We invite the local community to come down and enjoy a free sausage sizzle brekkie from 5.30am to 9am, on Thursday. While livening up the backdrop, you'll also have a chance to be seen on national TV.
- Cara George, Mudgee Region Tourism CEO
The local entry is the only finalist from NSW, with the others on the ballot being; the Festival of Redheads - Maryborough (QLD); the Festival of Wheat, Wool and Wine - Clare Valley (SA); and the Festival of Mangoes - Bowen (QLD).
CEO of Mudgee Region Tourism, Cara George, said that locals can help put the area's best foot forward this week, when the 'Community Sausage Sizzle' hits television screens around Australia.
"We invite the local community to come down to the 'Community Sausage Sizzle' hosted by the Lions Club, with snags kindly donated by Gulgong Butchery - recent winners in the NSW Sausage King competition," she said.
"The weather crosses will take place in the Catholic Church grounds, at 53 Market Street, so we can take advantage of the town's blossomed streetscape and iconic clock tower backdrop. We invite the local community to come down and enjoy a free sausage sizzle brekkie from 5.30am to 9am, on September 19.
"While livening up the backdrop, you'll also have a chance to be seen on national TV. Pop it in the diary, set the alarm early and feel free to invite family and friends."
The short-listed ideas need to bring their communities together and shine a spotlight on their local wares for the nation to see. As well as float something quirky, such as the 'Sausage Dog Parade' at the Festival of Snags.
"We can't wait to see which festival Australia gets behind and we're looking forward to working with the winning town to create an experience that locals will love and is worth travelling for," Daniel Finch, Wotif managing director, said.
"Aussies are renowned for their passion for the quirky and unexpected, and the raft of brilliant submissions we received for the Festival of Wot? show just that.
"From the 'Festival of Bin Chickens' in Brisbane to the 'Festival of Fake Tan' in Orange - Australia did not disappoint."
