I have long sung the praises of my local area when it comes to foodie shops, cafes and restaurants, to the extent I pulled together a free podcast tour to highlight just a few of the local gourmet gems the area has on offer. So the Rozelle Village Fair taking place on Sunday 30 November on was always going to be a special event, however on this occasion it has an extra poignancy.
The street will be transformed by large areas of artificial grass, picnic rugs, market stalls, a giant communal dining table, stalls, and of course all the hustle and bustle of a street fair
The Rozelle Village Fair will be more than just a good excuse to try amazing food, this year it will be a chance to bring together a community who in September of this year were rocked by the explosion at a Darling Street convenience store in which three people lost their lives. It’s an opportunity for you too for you to lend your support to the local business in the area, celebrate this wonderful community, and most of all have a fantastic Sunday.
The Rozelle Village Fair will run from 10am-4pm during which time the stretch of Darling Street from Victoria Road to Wise Street will be closed to traffic, and instead will be transformed by large areas of artificial grass, picnic rugs, market stalls, a giant communal dining table, stalls, and of course all the hustle and bustle of a street fair.
WIN A HOLIDAY TO THE NAPA VALLEY
In the lead up to the event, make sure you stop by Rozelle to pick up $20 (or more of course!) of shopping. Participating stores will then give you a voucher where you can enter a competition online to ‘Win the Ultimate Picnic in the Napa Valley’. The prize will include return flights to San Francisco, five nights’ accommodation, and a hamper for your Napa Valley picnic. It is a must enter competition for all galloping gourmets, and there are even luxury picnic hampers for the two runners up. The winner will be announced on the day of the Rozelle Village Fair.
Check out full details of how to enter here
Rozelle Village Fair Stalls
Many are still finalising the exciting things they will be doing for the Rozelle Village Fair, but talking to just a few people along Darling Street, there is going to be a lot of varied and innovative food to choose from on the day. Next on Darling is a great café (I am addicted to its decadent breakfast in a pan), and will be focusing on its Italian roots at the Rozelle Village Fair with a stall offering Italian street food, including Polpette Rolls, and something I’ll definitely be trying on the day, Limincello lemonade.
Following the alcohol theme, Penny Lane will be showcasing a pop up bar on the day of the fair, as well as a charcoal barbecue. For those with a sweet tooth, the divine chocolate shop Belle Fleur will be having a stand at the fair selling traditional Belgian waffles with chocolate sauce, as well as chocolate dipped strawberries, and iced chocolate drinks. If the chocoholics are still hankering for a hit after all that you can always dive into the shop and pick up a selection of Belle Fleur’s delicious handcrafted chocolates.
For those trying to watch the waistline in the run up to Christmas then About Life’s stall selling healthy lunch boxes, fresh juices and coconut water might fit the bill. There will even be a wholefood cookery demonstration, to give you ideas for healthy meals at home.
Christmas Shopping Opportunity
Even the most dedicated gourmet hunter must concede that man cannot live by food alone, and in between trying all the great food and drink on offer, the Rozelle Village Fair will be an ideal opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done. One of the great things about the shops in Rozelle is that you’ll find items which won’t be replicated the length of breadth of shopping malls around the country. One thing you must do is stop by Tali Gallery’s stall.
Tali Gallery is more than just a great place to bag a gift, Di and Yhanni who run it are real beacons in the Rozelle community. Their gallery is full of Aboriginal artworks including paintings, prints, artefacts, crafts, gifts and jewellery, sourced directly from Aboriginal Owned Community Arts Centres and Independent Artists all over Australia. Anything you buy here will not only be truly unique and beautiful, but will also be supporting the fantastic talents of these communities.
Quirky Birds’ stall will have some Turkish towels, jewellery, candles, and soaps, or if you’re looking for the perfect Christmas party outfit then be sure to drop by the store for a look at the great range of clothes. Lin and Barrett have told me on the QT that they will be offering great one-off deals on lingerie on the day of the Fair too, so you might well be able to pick up a bargain in there!
Family Fun
Rozelle is an incredibly family-friendly area, so if you’re coming down with the kids then they’ll be plenty aside from food to help keep them occupied. Tilly’s Art Store will be doing face painting, and subject to council approval, the kids can also decorate a canvas with a smiley face which will then be attached to the boarding which is currently fencing off the area where the explosion happened along Darling Street. Both of these activities will be for a gold coin donation. If you have a pampered pet at home, then you can bring a picture along with you and for $20 get a sketch done. All of the proceeds of these events run by Tilly’s will be donated to the Rozelle Fire Fund.
Rozelle is an incredibly family-friendly area, so if you’re coming down with the kids then they’ll be plenty aside from food to help keep them occupied
On top of this you can expect live music, a kids jumping castle and roving performers. For the brave you can try your hand at the climbing wall. Or if you’d simply prefer to keep sampling food from all the stalls, you’ll love the giant communal dining table they are planning to place down the centre of Darling Street.
So if you haven’t yet explored this great area of Sydney, slap on some sun cream, jump on the bus, (or get on your bike, there is bicycle valet parking available), and come on down on Sunday 30 November to support this great community event.
