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Over 65 makers will gather, keen to inspire with their passion and to pass on their knowledge to preserve the longevity of their craft. It will be a weekend filled with non-stop demonstrations, vintage displays, bushcraft shows, wheelwright shows, artisan markets and lots of good old-fashioned camaraderie.
The Fair also includes Gympie Rotary’s Quilt & Craft Spectacular, one of Queensland’s largest quilting and crafing events, and the Craft Beer Open Door – the age-old art of brewing, another essential craft!
Be inspired by our makers, meet our artisan community:
Meet the Heritage Makers:
Saturday, 1 July 2023, 8.30am – 5pm
Sunday, 2 July 2023, 8.30am – 3pm
The Pavilion and surrounds, Gympie Showgrounds, Exhibition Rd, Southside
Join us for a weekend – or a day – to enjoy this event! Over 65 masters and artisans of heritage crafts will be demonstrating continuously over the weekend – a collective expo featuring makers of the traditional trades and domestic craft of yesteryear, once the foundation on which our communities were built and integral to daily living.
In a village-like ambience of great camaraderie, come and:
Meet the Turners: Woodworkers and Master Carvers; Spoonsmiths; Luthiers; a Whittler, a Harpmaker; Penmakers; Sawscrollers; Pyrographers; a Shinglesplitter, all in the Carbatec Woodcraft Arena
Meet the Smiths: Blacksmiths, Tinsmith, Silversmiths, Coppersmith, a Lampworker – you’ll find them in Qld Hydro Heritage Lane
Meet the Weavers: Weavers of cane, wheat, wire, leather, wools, fibres, weeds and reeds (Domestic Arts and Heritage Lane)
And meet more: Saddler, Whipmaker; Papermaker; Mosaic artist; a Leadlighter; a Cordwainer; a Ceramicist; a Candlemader; Leatherworkers; a Signwriter, Beekeepers; Eco-Dyer, Handprinter/ Dyer, Ropemaker…. there’s even a meadery!
All these artisans gathered in one arena, keen to share their knowledge and their passion in their craft with you.
Vintage Vehicle Display: Vintage, veteran, classic cars and machines, motorcycles and more – a display to assist in repairing motors, machines, trucks and more in the devastating floods of 2022
Craft Beer Open Door Presenting the craft of brewing, of centuries-old skills, handed down from generation to generation, perfected by cultures world-wide.
Catering to both the confirmed lovers of craft brews and those who want to discover a different style of beer enjoyment, come along and sample some diverse flavours – ranging from subtle to WOW! – in the company of the like-minded.
You’re invited to meet the brewers from Your Mates on Saturday at the Craft Beer Open Door, have a chat, and listen to their talk on the podium, Domestic Arts cafe at 12 noon, Saturday July 1
Don’t forget to sample some meads as well….
Mini-Makers Program: Bring the family – your children are encouraged to have-a-go at coppersmithing, leatherwork, papermaking, mosaics, leadlighting, signwriting, weaving, knitting… and adults can try their hand as well!
All this, plus the Quilt & Craft Spectacular, for 1 ticket price of just $15pp per day! (Children 15 and under are FREE)
Presented by the Rotary Club of Gympie Inc
Silversmiths, Gemsmiths, Coppersmith, Tinsmith, Glassworker/ Lampworkter, Leatherworkers, Luthier, Cane Weaver, Saddler, Whipmaker, Papermaker, Mosaic Artisan, Leadlighter, Ceramicists, Signwriters, Ropemaker, Beekeepers… Meet the Makers of Mead – taste a few of these meads, melomels, pyments and more! Talk to the TOCAH people (Treasury of Country Australian Heritage) and say g’day to our sponsor Queensland Hydro!
Master woodcarvers and turners, spoonsmiths, luthiers, a shingle splitter, a whittler, pen makers, scrollsawers, pyrographers – and have a go with a cross-cut saw!
Weavers of wheat, wire, wool, cottons, fibres, reeds and weeds; spinners; an eco-dyer, handprinter/ dyer; lacemakers; match crafter – have a chat with the crew from Gympie Family History and Gympie View Club.
Keep wandering through this venue, there’s coffee and snacks to be found!
The hiss of the rising steam, the “chink, chink” of the smithy’s tools as he frenetically moulds hot steel rims around wooden wheels – relive another time in history – a showcase of the wheelwright + the Clydesdale as a stud horse, working horse and harness horse.
The Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum were badly impacted by the 2022 floods – and many of their rare and irreplaceable motors and vehicles went under. With limited resources, repairs are a long way into the future. Here’s how you can help:
The Rotary Club of Gympie has, for many years, been proudly presenting it’s prestigious Quilt & Craft Spectacular – one of the largest quilting and crafting events in SE Queensland. Come along and see a showcase of traditional and contemporary quilts and art quilts by award winning quilters, professionals and those who just love to quilt!
There’s also inspiring artisan exhibits, free demonstrations, workshops and over 45 diverse quilters and crafters markets!
Recently, event presenters the Rotary Club of Gympie made a progressive call to combine the Quilt & Craft Spectacular with the HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR – the united event is tipped to be one of the largest showcases of quilting, craft and heritage trades in Queensland.
Over 1 huge weekend, 1 – 2 July 2023.
Saturday, 1 July 2023, 8.30am – 5pm
Sunday, 2 July 2023, 8.30am – 3pm
www.quiltandcraft.org www.ancientcrafts.org
The Pavilion and surrounds, Gympie Showgrounds, 77 Exhibition Rd, Gympie Southside.
While onsite, take a moment for some R&R – and discover, experience and enjoy new flavours in the age-old craft of brewing at the Craft Beer Open Door, a celebration of craft beer diversity and creativity.
With tasting paddles, tasting notes and a range of quality craft brews to try – from gentle to WOW! – the event caters to both the already-devoted lovers of craft brews and those who are curious and want to discover a different style of beer enjoyment.
With profits going to Little Haven Palliative Care, why not join us for some great camaraderie in a convivial atmosphere and enjoy sampling, tasting and discovering some interesting beer alternatives. Come on in! www.quiltandcraft.org/craft-beer-open-door/
* Entry to all for just 1 ticket price per day!
Kids 15 & under FREE
With tasting paddles, tasting notes and a range of quality craft brews to try – from gentle to WOW! – the event caters to both the already-devoted lovers of craft brews and those who are curious and want to discover a different style of beer enjoyment.
With profits going to Little Haven Palliative Care, why not join us for some great camaraderie in a convivial atmosphere and enjoy sampling, tasting and discovering some interesting beer alternatives. Come on in! www.quiltandcraft.org/craft-beer-open-door/
Please contact us by email on admin@ancientcrafts.org or admin@quiltandcraft.org if you would like to be included in our database, to ensure you are kept in the loop with events and highlights. Newsletters are sent periodically, as important highlights are confirmed. Also, keep checking this site and www.quiltandcraft.org for up-to- the- minute news.
DATES:
Held over 2 huge days 1 – 2 July 2023:
Saturday, 1 July, 2023, 8.30am to 5pm
Sunday 2 July, 2023, 8.30am to 3pm
VENUE:
The Pavilion, 77 Exhibition Rd, Southside Gympie, 4570
Gympie Rotary’s Maker’s Fair is held the Pavilion’s stadium, alongside the Quilt & Craft Spectacular, held in the Pavilion. The Pavilion is wheelchair friendly and has a lift. There are handicapped toilets. Buses welcome, entry can be fast-tracked by groups.
ADMISSION:
includes entry into:
WEBSITES:
FACEBOOK:
@GympieRotaryQuiltCraftSpectacular
INSTAGRAM:
#gympieheritagecrafts
#gympiequiltcraft
THE CAFES:
Plenty of food and coffee outlets throughout the area, includes the Hammer & Tongs Cafe, Domestic Arts Cafe, Little Haven Cafe in the Pavilion, the CWA Cafe plus Craft Beer Open Door.
All profits are donated to benefit worthy charities through the Rotary Club of Gympie – the main beneficiary of the Quilt & Craft Spectacular is Little Haven Palliative Care.
With thanks to our partners, sponsors and supporters, including:
www.carbatec.com.au ww.bendigobank.com.au www.polleys.com.au www.laminex.com.au www.regleis.com.au www.professionalsgympie.com.au www.gympiefunerals.com.au www.dixondental.com.au Patchwork on Pallas
This project received funding assistance from the Gympie Regional Council’s Community Grants Program 2022/2023