Robertson Park is set to come alive on Friday as up to 7000 people are expected to flock to the Orange Wine Festival night market.
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While five to 10 millimetres of rain is expected during the day, a different type of pouring is expected during the evening as 32 wine stalls set up around the park.
The wine will be the main attraction, with well-known wineries from Swinging Bridge and Philip Shaw to award-winning Rowlee Wines, which took out the best wine at the 2017 Orange Wine Show, all appearing.
The best rosé of the show from Colmar Estate will also make an appearance, as will Mortimer’s Wines’ best sauvignon blanc of the wine show.
For those after something different, Badlands Brewery and Small Acres Cyder will also have stalls.
However it’s not all about the alcohol, as there will also be over 20 other stalls, including mouthwatering offerings to eat.
Skewers, kangaroo sliders, butter chicken and pork ribs are just some of the huge range of food on offer.
There will also be live music, face-painting, kids’ activities and art installations around the park.
Orange Region Vignerons Association president Justin Jarrett, who is organising the night market, said the appeal was simple.
“It’s a big Friday night activity, coming down, sit on a rug, talk to people, have something to eat and try some wine,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity for people around town to meet on a Friday afternoon to explore Orange’s wine region.
“There’ll be stalls by a lot of wineries that don’t have cellar doors, so it’ll be a good chance for people to try some wine they haven’t had before.”
While the market finishes at 8.00, Mr Jarrett said he was hoping people would continue to explore Orange.
“We’re trying to encourage people to go out after it’s finished,” he said.
Glasses of wine would be available for consumption, but while bottles of wine will be available, they can’t be opened at the event.
“Come on down, we’re all looking forward to it,” Mr Jarrett said.
Swinging Bridge Wines owner Tom Ward thought the evening was going to be a “great night”.
“It’s great to have a local party. We do a lot of these festivals in Sydney and Canberra but it’s great to do it at home and relax with our local food people,” he said.
“This is what it’s about, local food, local wine and local people in a fantastic venue like Robertson Park.”
The night market begins at 5.30pm and continues until 8pm.