Food & wine family festival returns to the 2024 events calendar

After a three-year hiatus, caused by the combined impact of COVID-19 and dwindling volunteer support, the Bay Escape Festival will be returning to Port MacDonnell February next year.

At its Annual General Meeting on May 31, the organising committee was revived with 11 new members and a newly formed executive committee.

Ryan Donovan has remained as chair, with the committee appointing Mary Mason as its new event coordinator. Ryan Donovan was pleased to announce the appointment of Mary, who recently moved to Port MacDonnell.

“Mary is an energetic community volunteer who brings with her a wealth of experience in delivering local events and initiatives that help to showcase a local region,” Ryan said.

The committee also appointed Anne-Maree Johnstone as treasurer and Tegan McPherson as secretary with support from Ashlee Brion.

Returning committee member Gary Jaffa has been joined by new members, Cassie Arnold, David Soderblom, Jeff Feast, Michele Foster, Nyla Habets Sophie Fairchild and Stephen Johnstone.

The committee is now in full swing and looking to hold the event on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

The desire of the committee is to harness the popularity from the 2020 event and to deliver an equally successful family event in 2024.

“We are trying to be realistic about what we can deliver as a new committee, while also keeping up with expectations from the previous success of the event,”

Ryan said. “We have a passionate and engaged committee on board, who want to see the continued success of showcasing what Port MacDonnell has to offer.”

Previously known as the Bayside Festival, the Bay Escape underwent a major rebranding in 2019 based on valuable community feedback.

The event was launched with a focus on food, wine, and coastal themes, resulting in overwhelming success.

As one of the Limestone Coast’s longest running festivals, the Bay Escape has been held annually at