The inaugural Food, Fire & Light Festival will kick off this Friday night, celebrating the role fire played on the goldfields through a festival for the senses – bringing together a fusion of music, culinary experiences and visual spectacles at Sovereign Hill.
In the 1850s, people from around the world came to Ballarat, bringing their food and traditions. Fire sustained them – it was the heartbeat of the gold rush; providing light, warmth and the energy needed to nourish stomachs and feed souls.
The Food, Fire & Light Festival will fuse gritty performances and unique light installations with food cooked over flames, smoky cocktails and fire-lit wonders; promising to ignite the senses and create lasting memories against the backdrop of Ballarat’s enchanting starry night sky.
Food, Fire & Light Festival highlights include:
- Headline music acts: Creating a pulsating, energetic environment will be Andrew Loadsman accompanied by DJ Marc Lucarelli and Umbra Moon (first weekend); and ROSWEL and Harvey Miller (from Client Liaison) on the second weekend. Supporting these musicians across all four nights will be Sølarin.
- Wayaperri wiyn-a (meaning ‘to meet around the fire’): Local Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will take guests on a captivating storytelling experience in the new Wadawurrung Cultural Precinct, sharing stories about the use of fire in the Ballaarat area and its importance in shaping the landscape.
- Shimmering Falls: Delight in waterfall pyrotechnics cascading from the iconic Poppet Head gantry and explore the mine blacksmith’s working display.
- The Victorian Silhouette: Step into a silent cinema at the Victoria Theatre with exclusive film content.
- Valley of Lights: Walk through a tunnel of fire crafted by artist Richard Thomas using natural materials and salvaged items to a field bathed in thousands of lights dancing in time to music.
- Industrial Sparks and Spirits: Peek into the fire-driven industrial practices of the 1850s with hot tyring demonstrations and smoky drinks from a whisky bar.
- Illuminations: Roving fire performers will entertain guests along Sovereign Hill’s Main Street with a choreographed show to music.
- Food that warms the soul: Culinary star Morgan Hipworth (Bistro Morgan) will scorch tasty S’mores over hot flames and serve rich, caramelised crème brûlée doughnuts while master butcher Ralf Fink and the Oakwood Smallgoods team will dish up smoked meats and bratwurst, chargrilled over open coals. Ballarat favourite Carboni’s Italian Kitchen will serve Fettuccine Cacio e Pepe tossed in a wheel of melted Parmigiano Reggiano.
Food, Fire & Light Festival
Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Ballarat
Event dates: 11, 12, 18 & 19 October 2024
Information and Bookings: www.ffl.sovereignhill.com.au
Images: Hot Tyring demonstrations at Sovereign Hill (supplied) | Silent films in the Victoria Theatre at Sovereign Hill (supplied)