The International Rose Garden Festival Morwell returned for 2023, with a full program of events taking place between the 11-12 November.
This year’s program showcased the roses and garden in full bloom while offering family-friendly activities and entertainment across the weekend.
New event times saw the Festival commencing at 12pm and running through to 9.30pm each night where locals and visitors alike explored the rose gardens and participate in a wide range of stalls and free activities.
ABC Gardening Australia Host and crowd favourite Costa Georgiadis returned to the Festival once again, hosting and judging the cut the rose competition as well as chatting about his gardening knowledge at multiple events across the weekend.
Visitors also travelled to and from the Festival in style via the Heritage Steam Train, a fully booked out event. The Morwell CBD was bustling with train travellers and many shops in Commercial Road reported great sales.
Mayor of Latrobe City Council Darren Howe was pleased to see the evolved range of experiences on offer for community members and visitors to enjoy.
“It was fantastic to witness the Rose Garden colourfully illuminated each evening by the much-loved AGL Night Lights Installation, with roving performers, local musicians and pop-up food trucks to add to the overall Festival vibe,” said the Mayor.
“On Sunday, our youngest festival goers were treated to live stage shows, a disco and a diverse range of free activities.”
The Mayor thanked the sponsors, local businesses, volunteers, community members, volunteers and Council staff who contributed to bringing the Festival to life for another year, as well as acknowledging the Mayor of the Day, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan who played a significant role over the weekend long event attending and participating in many of the festivals offerings.
“The International Rose Garden Festival is a pivotal event to not only bring the community together, but also support our wonderful local businesses and highlight our City as a great place to live, work and visit.”
Over the weekend, the Festival also featured a rose flower crown workshop, yoga, nature printing, creating your own native pantry, botanical arts and crafts, and the ever-popular Devonshire teas.