Griffith Spring Festival citrus sculptures a sight to behold

The distinctive citrus sculptures, made of oranges and grapefruits and inspired by citrus sculptures in the community of Menton in France, have been a fixture of Griffith’s spring celebration of food and wine for 23 years.

This year’s sculptures will be put together by the community on October 7 ahead of the launch party, which will take place from 5.30-9.30pm on October 12.

Fresh  artworks to feature this year will include sculptures of local silos, a giant tennis racquet, a grandfather clock, a giant number plate, a caravan and the Beelbangera Public School shield.

Sculptures are facilitated by the locally owned Real Juice Company and designed by community groups, schools and businesses.

Griffith Council event coordinator Karly Sivewright said the sculptures had given the local community a real sense of pride since a handful of sculptures were debuted in 1995 and this year there would be over 70.

“People feel really good on the day we put them all together. Everyone is really proud of it,” she said.

Karly said last year, the sculptures were vandalised and destroyed, but the community’s response only illustrated how much they meant to them.

“The whole community got together to put them back together. It was amazing,” she said.

The sculptures will remain on display until October 20 and Karly said the launch party on October 12 would be a great opportunity to view them.

In addition to the opportunity for visitors to take selfies with the sculptures, the party will also feature a local wine bar, live music, Yenda beer and cider,  a paella station, street food, kids activities, markets and cocktails.

The party is just one of the events which will celebrate local food, wine and produce throughout October.

Other highlights of this year’s Spring Fest program will include the Griffith Garden Festival (Oct 12-14), open gardens (Oct 12-14) and a multicultural festival (Oct 13).

There will also be art and photographic workshops, workshops for adults and kids with Better Homes and Gardens’ Jason Hodges, wine events and lunches.

For more information, click here. 

GRIFFITH Pioneer Park Museum is a large open air Museum which provides a great insight into the area’s history. It features 40 historic buildings as well as stories about the establishment of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme, pioneers and the history of Italian migration. Details: 6962 4196

​GRIFFITH War Memorial Museum features a collection of articles & artefacts commemorating Australia's military campaigns. Returned servicemen from WWI and WWII were instrumental in its establishment. Details: 0407 485 091

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