Little things like threats of minor flooding, soggy ground and bad weather do not deter organisers of TasteFest on the Manning - they simply move the event a little further along the riverbank where it's drier underfoot.
The annual TasteFest food, wine and craft beer festival is going ahead this weekend, however there is a change of venue to the Manning River Rowing Club and Endeavour Place carpark - the carpark next to the rowing club.
The event's location had to be changed because the original site, Queen Elizabeth Park, has become saturated by recent rain. Lions members were concerned about safety on the day even though much-improved weather is forecast for the weekend.
Tonight's sold-out Charity Producers Dinner is taking place inside the rowing club, while downstairs in the carpark a stage is being erected for a free concert for the community.
The Taree High (Saltwater) Dancers will follow a Welcome to Country by Uncle Russell Saunders OAM at 6.30pm to open TasteFest.
From 7pm popular duo Grace + Hugh, and their piano, will return to perform on stage for a free public concert. Take a chair and enjoy the show.
All food, wine and beer vendors lined up for the Saturday festival will be attending and setting up in the carpark, and all music, including the Australian Beach Boys show from 7pm, and children's entertainment, are still taking place.
However, a decision is yet to be made on the always entertaining Rubber Duck Race fundraiser, because of the swollen river.
"We are monitoring (the situation)," Phil Grisold of Taree Lions Club said.
"It will depend on conditions."
The Saturday events run from 10am to 9pm and the Lions aren't worried about the weather, with the day set to be 23 degrees, partly cloudy and some light showers.
"We've got a rapidly improving weather forecast. Just as quickly as the rains have come, it will clear," Phil said.
Entry to TasteFest is by gold coin donation, and all profits go to local charities.
The Manning River Rowing Club and Endeavour Place Car Park are at the end of Stevenson Street, Taree.
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Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
