New look Millfest in 2023

There will be more of a picnic vibe and less street festival when Millfest returns this Saturday, February 4, to a new venue, the lawns of Redmond Oval.

So grab your picnic blanket or camp chair and enjoy a great line-up of local music plus food, wine, market stalls and a whole heap of family fun!

Gates open at 4pm with live music running through till 9pm, with Jamie Cooper opening.

Proceeding on the stage, followed by Wick and Watts, Chloe and Jason Roweth and Pengopuss.

And there will be plenty for the kids, with a free jumping castle, inflatable bungee run and lawns games for all ages.

You won’t go hungry with food vendors onsite serving up a variety of options from woodfire pizza to bush tucka, Vietnamese, smoked meats and of course, sweet treats for dessert.

While no BYO alcohol is permitted, the bar stalls will be well stocked with wines, ciders and beers crafted right here in the region.

Get shopping at the mini retail market with a range of regional stallholders, book-in to attend, including local stores Plants n’ Pretty Pieces and Hive Grove setting up pop-up shops.

Millthorpe Business Committee Chair, Richard Beach, said that with the last few years of COVID cancellations, this year allowed the committee to remodel the event and bring it back as something fresh.

“We want to take advantage of the open space at Redmond Oval where we can bring a relaxed and comfortable feel and make it different from the winter night market,” Richard said.

Millfest 2023 is a free event, thanks to funding from the Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Event Program.

Registration online is encouraged to help with event planning, head to millthorpevillage.com.au for information.

“JAM really provides a meeting space,” Lisa explained. “It’s a really good way for musicians to mix and meet each other.” And while it’s a jazz band line-up this weekend there, she said you can expect bands of all genres at future Sunday Sessions at the Royal.

The event on Sunday, February 5, is open to all ages, with the bistro offering lunch while you enjoy the great tunes. Lisa encouraged everyone from around the area to come along and support live and local music.

“The bistro’s open, the bar’s open, but the kids can come; it’s family-friendly,” Lisa explained.

“It’s just somewhere to chill on a Sunday afternoon and listen to some chill-out music!”

This February and March, Catch four of the best comedians in the country as they preview their Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows right here in Orange at Factory Espresso.

Regularly hosting some of the biggest names in the business, comedy returns to Factory Espresso on February 10–11, with two nights of back-to-back hour shows from Dilruk Jayasinha and Dave Thornton. Then on March 10-11, the laughs continue with Anne Edmonds and Loyd Langford.

“We ended 2022 with Hughesy, Tony Martin and Geraldine Hickey. Now we have two massive shows coming for February and March,” Factory Espresso owner, Nick Gleeson said.

“We are very picky with who we get to perform as we want you to have a great night out,” he continued. “All four comedians are well-known headliners that are doing brand-new material to warm up for the festivals.” Tickets for each individual night are normally $60 per person, but book both the February and March shows and save, Nick said.

“We are all about value, so we are offering four great headliner comedians at $25 for each head you see!” Nick said.

“We are giving you a $20 discount when you buy tickets for both the February and March shows together.

“There’s nothing like seeing a big-name headliner up close and personal. At Factory you get exactly that!

See Dilruk Jayasinha and Dave Thornton (February 10 or 11), and Anne Edmonds and Lloyd Langford (March 10 or 11) for just $100. Tickets available from factoryespresso.com.au