IF you're an admirer of historic architecture, or big band music, you should head for the hills - the Adelaide Hills, that is - because Hahndorf has laid the foundations for a fun May.
The town, which was settled by 19th-century Lutheran migrants and is classified as Australia's oldest surviving German settlement, will host its annual band festival on May 11.
The festival has been a fixture since 2006 and will feature performances by 12 brass bands in the Hahndorf Pioneer Memorial Gardens.
They will include Hahndorf Town Band, Hahndorf Youth Band, Enfield Brass Band, Holdfast Concert Band, Burnside Youth Concert Band and Gawler Town Band.
The bands will perform 30-minute programs with the aim of wooing both audiences and the competition's adjudicators.
Hahndorf Town Band president Greg Francis said the event aimed to showcase big band music and its power to unite, educate and engage.
"It's a chance to hear live music in the park in autumn, amidst a famous streetscape, browse market stalls, have a sausage sizzle and enjoy the smell of onions," he said.
Entry is free and the event begins at 10.30am.
Take a tour
Festival visitors may also want to take the opportunity to enjoy some of the town's Fachwerk architecture.
Sharon from Hahndorf Walking Tours will lead tours to significant locations throughout the town from May 11-25.
The morning tour at 10.30am will include a demonstration of hand hewing lumber using traditional woodworking tools.
During the afternoon tour at 2pm, archaeologist Chris Hein will show visitors how to cut a mortise and tenon joint.
The informative and fun tours run to about two hours.
Tickets range from $15-$35.
For more information on the band festival, phone 0429-929-918. For more information on tours, 0477-288-011.
To find out more about the town, click here.
