The Age Old Tradition of Celebrating Fire
ARTICLE : Alice Armitage
Some say that human innovation started with fire. It's one of the first technologies we harnessed to accelerate our evolution. Controlling fire allowed humans to provide a source of warmth, create more advanced hunting tools, change our diet and ultimately allowed human activity to extend into the colder and darker hours.
It's no wonder we celebrate it and that human culture has evolved around it. Earliest evidence suggests we’ve been celebrating flames for seven hundred and ninety thousand years and the allure to spend time by this most human technology is yet to wane.
In 2024 we’re seeing this age-old desire to celebrate fire converge with the rising popularity of the regions, the promotion of the spoils of the winter months and the tourism treasures that await in the colder days.
In the post covid era, Orange and the surrounding region in central New South Wales has seen an exponential rise in popularity, for tree-changers and tourists alike. But the region boasts more than it seems: not only is it a place to enjoy the traditions of a slower country life and the fruits of a thriving wine region, it's also a place bursting with contemporary fun and entertainment options all year round.
The winter fire festival has become a regular fixture in the region's social calendar and has been cultivated to offer an authentic country winter experience in the picturesque orange region. The festival celebrates all of the region's diverse elements and highlights the perks of spending time in the area in the colder months. With this year's program expanding to include even more unique entertainment where the arts, performance and cultural pursuits are married with feast, fire and the spoils of local vines.
This focus on creativity and the celebration of regional talent is showing that not only do festivals such as this showcase all the region has to offer for visitors, but it also strengthens ties within the local community and gives artisans a platform to showcase their craft to the wider world. All while staying warm by the fire.
Ned Sweetapple, the General Manager of Orange360, the local tourism body that ensures the success of events such as this, shared, “We’re excited to be able to showcase what we love about this region in winter. Frosted mornings and sprinklings of snow are followed by bright sunshine filled days and crisp nights. The Winter Fire Festival is our region's antidote to the cold, combining arts, performance and culture with food and wine and the warm hospitality. Indulge in hearty meals and fine cool climate wines around the bonfire, share stories, celebrate art and music, dance, laugh with friends and strangers alike under starry, crystal-clear skies.”
Spanning across fourteen days, the festival boasts over twenty events across the region. Shaping up to be a regional arts festival not to be missed, encompassing creative workshops, local culinary showcases, art exhibitions and immersive community experiences.
A round up of the most alluring include :
The village of Millthorpe comes alive each year for the opening of the Fire Festival. Sample delights from local food producers, wineries, brewer and other local businesses, all whilst soaking up the beautiful village atmosphere under festoon lights. Cosy up by one of the many fire pits lining the street and soak up the vibe with live music and marshmallow roasting.
Forage and Feast Truffle Experience
Immerse in the world of truffles and embark on a hunt alongside renowned truffle dog trainer, Teneka and her expert truffle dogs. After the hunt participants will indulge in a three-course truffle infused lunch at the revered Sisters Rock Restaurant.
Wood Smoke Earth and Fire – Dindima
Soak up the atmosphere of this year’s Fire Festival and experience a heartwarming, collaborative afternoon that brings together the Dindima Wines’ team and local ceramicist, Jude Keogh.
Renowned for his electrifying live shows, Ash Grunwald has inspired a generation with his high-energy, vibrant performances with stacks of guitars and foot-stomping blues. Enjoy wood-fired pizza and mulled wine around the fire, while Ash rocks the house yet touches the soul, serving a tsunami of dance, beats, roots, bass ‘n’ blues.
Brave the chill, lace up your sneakers, don your quirkiest undies, and join the Heifer Station crew for a two kilometre dash through the frosty vineyards as the sun sets, before returning to the Cellar Door for a sumptuous three-course meal cooked over naked flame by Richard Learmonth and Charlie Peach. Run, Laugh, Feast - don't miss out on this opportunity to raise much needed funds for Boys To The Bush, a non-profit community-based charity.
Celebrate the beauty of cooking over flame with an immersive afternoon at Rowlee Wines’ Feast of the Lamb. Begin with an interactive cooking demonstration with acclaimed Rowlee Head Chef, Simon Furley before indulging in a premium three-course shared-style feast.
This piece has been created in partnership with Orange360. To see the full programme of events and to explore more that Orange and the Surrounding region has to offer, head to the Orange360 website.