Renaissance Rocking Horses Open Weekend

RENAISSANCE ROCKING HORSES OPEN WEEKEND
A BOUTIQUE EVENT - A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

This year’s boutique event at Rocking Horse Lodge, home of Australia’s largest and only full time rocking horse makers & teachers, Chris Woolcock and Viktoria Darabi, will be loaded with old fashioned country pleasures, nostaglia, a dazzling array of artists, artisans, displays and demonstrators, plus top notch food and gourmet food stalls.

Following on from the success of their inaugural Boutique Open Weekend featuring Iain “Huey” Hewitson in October last year, Renaissance Rocking Horses is keen to again share and show off the Hawkesbury’s world class, fresh and gourmet food bounty and the diverse density of artists, artisans and craftspersons.  The event, which is part of the Hawkesbury Festival, was enjoyed by over 1200 people some from Bowral, Camden and the Hunter Valley.
“I’ve tried to create a boutique event that is a real tonic for the ‘world weary’. And I must say that in the Hawkesbury, we are really spoiled for choice as we have an exciting and eclectic range of artists and artisans, plus a plethora of high quality farm gate producers making outstanding gourmet products,” says Viktoria Darabi, organiser of the event.

In addition to artisan Rocking Horse Maker, Chris Woolcock’s  popular talks and demonstrations in his workshop, acclaimed Porcelain Potter, Christine Sullivan will demonstrate ‘wheel throwing’ of pots, give visitors a go at her wheel and will talk about pottery making. The award winning cake decorator turned potter, will be revealing some magnificent special occasion ‘cakes’ made in porcelain especially for this event.  The pieces will be a demonstration of her technical skill and are also exquisite functional cake keepers. Some of her highly collectable pieces will also be for sale.

Other features of the Open Weekend include:

Amazing Greys Barbershop Quartet will sing classic barbershop, popular and Australian songs. The money raised for their performances goes to support the Oncology Research Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead NSW
Amazing Greys Barbershop Quartet
Executive Chef, Ry Cunningham from Riverside Oaks Golf Resort  will be cooking up a storm on  Saturday with tips on how to give that ‘chef-ly’ twist to your summer barbeque cooking
Huey with Chef Ry Cunningham of Riverside Oaks
Hawkesbury’s own international profile Equine Artist, Tara Brown will conduct painting demonstrations and show some of her beautiful works.
Tara Brown, Equine Artist, painting 'Nobility'
Alfresco dining in the ‘high-top’ will be catered by well-loved and well- known Sassafras Creek Restaurant of Kurrajong
There will be a display of vehicles from the Australian Pedal Car Club and an ensemble of Vintage Cars for visitors to admire
Rare tradesman John Dunnachie, 3rd Generation Cooper will demonstrate the dying art of barrel making using traditional tools
John Dunnachie, 3rd Generation Barrel Cooper
Viktoria will again be conducting the popular tours of the Childhood Memories Collection which includes vintage prams, bassinettes, her handmade porcelain dolls and assorted interesting old wares and collectables
Fresh and gourmet food sales and tastings with some Hawkesbury Harvest members plus great coffee, old fashioned drinks, slices and cakes available all day.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 Concession, $2 for under 15 yrs, under 5 free and parking is free.

RENAISSANCE ROCKING HORSES OPEN WEEKEND
Part of the Hawkesbury Festival
 143 Pitt Town Road, McGraths Hill,
OCTOBER 11& 12, 2008
Sat/Sun 10am to 3pm
Ends-
For more information, to schedule an interview or photo shoot
Phone Viktoria Darabi on 4577-8697 or email

A Tonic for the ‘World Weary’

The fresh air, serenity and other rich rural delights the Hawkesbury Valley offers so close to Sydney are a tonic for the “world weary” – something the locals have always treasured. Rocking Horse Lodge is set on 10 acres near Windsor and overlooks the Pitt Town Bottoms to the Hawkesbury River. It is also home to Australia’s only full time Rocking Horse Makers & Teachers, Viktoria Darabi & Chris Woolcock.

A Festival for the Senses

Having lived & loved the Hawkesbury for nearly ten years Chris and Viktoria are keen to share and show off the Hawkesbury’s world class, fresh & gourmet food bounty and the diverse density of artists, artisans and craftspersons. This boutique annual event combines these two pleasures creating a festival for the senses.

A Plethora of Country Pleasures

Some of the key features of the 2007 weekend were:

• In the Master Marquee well known TV chef Iain "Huey" Hewitson of “Huey's Cooking Adventures” will film segments for his highly rated show using the fabulous Hawkesbury produce.
  
• Timed Tours of the Rocking Horse Maker’s workshop and Childhood Memories Collection 
• Talk “Tips on Collecting” from Donna McPherson, editor of Australian Country Collections
• Display of some 30 vehicles from the Australian Pedal Car Club & other private collections
• Some rare tradesmen and craftsmen demonstrating their art and skills
• Gourmet and Fresh food produce for sale on the verandah of the homestead
• Artisans, craftspersons, old wares and collectables marquees around the perimeter
• Rare trades and unusual crafts being demonstrated such as chair making, cooperage, woodturning etc
• Food Stalls, coffee, tea cakes and cold drinks available all day.

Opening Hours and Details

Open 10am to 3pm , Saturday and Sunday 11 & 12 October 2008
$5.00 entry for Adults
$2.00 for children under 15 years
Under 5 years is free
Off Street Parking
143 Pitt Town Road, McGraths Hill
For Further Details Phone:  02 4577-8697

McGraths Hill is approx 52 kms North West of Sydney CBD