The Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Festival. 2012

Sign proclaiming the Festival, and part of the crowd at the Parade.

Every two years the small town of Stanthorpe puts on its "Apple and Grape Festival", with its mascots, Jonno Apple and Bella Grape.....seen below on a float.

(You probably know all about Jonathan Apples, but there are also Isabella Grapes!!)




The Apple and Grape is totally organised by a hard working group of volunteers.
There are 3 days of events, from Friday to Sunday, and visitors come from surrounding districts, as well as from further afield, to participate, and enjoy. Of course, it provides an economic boost to the town.


Local businesses are encouraged to decorate their premises. Many do. This year the staff of the Commonwealth Bank assembled an outstanding display, which took up about 40% of the floor space!

Just part of the display at the C.B.A.

This pair have had a little too much of their wine! (A display from the local florist)

The Local pharmacy's display, highlighting the "Rio" theme for this year's Apple and Grape.

There are lots of activities for the locals.
Grape stomping is always popular, with those stomping finishing up stained quite red!  There are mini marathons to run. Apple peeling contests. An outdoor film evening. Art exhibitions. And a ball, which the young people thoroughly enjoy!

The Apple Peeling competition. (longest continuous peel, using a small knife, is the winner)

But one of the highlight for many locals is the Parade. This occurs on Saturday afternoon, and seems to involve a huge portion of the local population.  The schools march. Many businesses have floats.

This float represents Sutton's...apple farmers on the northern side of Stanthorpe.

No, no pigs are farmed in the area, but it is a piggy bank, for a Building Society float.

Two stilt walkers,clad in vibrant orange.

All of the floats and marchers were accompanied by bands.....pipe bands; brass bands; drum bands.
Many of the bands were local, or from nearby, such as Warwick and Toowoomba,  but a lot of bands travelled quite long distances to join the parade. There were bands from Armidale, from Inverell, from Glen Innes, from Redland Bay.
I admire their enthusiasm, in travelling so far.

A Naval Band led the parade.

The Stanthorpe Pipe Band.

The local park hosts a food and wine festival. Many of the local wineries have stalls where their products can be sampled. Foods from various lands are also available for people to sit and enjoy.

The Australian Lime stall.

Greek food may be bought here.

The Granite Belt Cheese Stall.

Bands play in the park too, and entertain the "diners and winers"!

Eating, drinking, listening....Weeroona Park, Stanthorpe.

And the kids are catered for with slides and jumping castles, and side-show alley type amusements.So everyone, from babes to seniors, can find something of interest in this Apple and Grape festival.

A slide for the kids....both big and small.

A Jurassic Park- themed bouncing "castle"

All in all it is a weekend many people enjoy, and look forward to every two years.