By TANIA PHILLIPS
FOOD, fun, nature and entertainment are the order of the day for the new Tweed Fusion Festival to be held around the valley this weekend.
The event is being hailed as a chance to experience the Tweed Valley’s diverse scenery, exquisite cuisine and eclectic arts hub according to the region’s peak tourism body, Destination Tweed.
Destination Tweed, in conjunction with Caldera Institute, are promoting the new two-day festival.
The group’s CEO Bill Tatchell said the event had “all the necessary ingredients to create an extraordinary feast of food, arts and culture that appeals to all ages”.
“It’s called ‘Tweed Fusion’ because this is an event that takes the vibrant culture of the destination and wraps it up in the beauty and diversity of the region,” Mr Tatchell said.
“The program is designed to showcase the scenery and highlights of the Tweed, the Tweed River, Mount Warning (Wollumbin) and the Tweed Valley.
“This region is burgeoning and it’s home to a proud and passionate arts community and wealth of local produce.
“Tweed Fusion is an opportunity to shine the national spotlight on our destination and the talented, creative and productive people who live here,” he said.
Destination Tweed hopes to attract visitors from around Australia, as well as Gold Coasters seeking an alternative to the traffic jams, noise, dust and crowds of the Amor All Gold Coast 600 being held in Surfers this weekend.
Mr Tatchell said there would be plenty of accommodation providers throughout the Tweed, Tweed Valley and Northern New South Wales coastal villages ready to offer a warm welcome and a peaceful place to stay during the Tweed Fusion weekend.
“Tweed Fusion is about stretching out on a picnic rug, strolling through a pop-up art gallery, feasting on fresh local produce prepared by acclaimed Tweed chefs, listening to beautiful music and enjoying the sunshine,” he said.
“It’s not about rushing or avoiding traffic jams. It’s about stepping away from a fast-paced lifestyle and enjoying all the relaxing elements of the Tweed that its residents know and love.”
The festival will feature four main events.
Tweed Fusion One will be a free art display and workshops with famous local artists at the Coolamon Cultural Centre at 3-5 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah on Saturday and Sunday.
Fusion 2 is a day of seafood, scenery and sunshine on a Tweed River cruise on Saturday from 12.30pm (NSW) departing Tweed Endeavour Cruises.
Tweed Fusion 3 is the Tweed River Art Gallery Gala Dinner at the gallery at Murwillumbah from 6.30pm on Saturday.
While Fushion 4 is a country Sunday picnic – an adventurous lunch in a secret location.
Buses will leave from Kingscliff Surf Lifesaving Club at 11.45am DST and Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre at 12.15pm DST.
Tickets for the country Sunday picnic are limited.
For bookings and information visit www.tweedfusion.com.au or phone 1800 674 414.
