Esk Garden Fair

Saturday
15 June 2024

Discover the Esk Garden Fair the new ultimate destination for gardening enthusiasts. With dozens of nurseries, hobby growers and exhibitors, you're guaranteed to find the best variety of plants, and garden art available. Imagine a day exploring the exhibitors or learning from our free informative Guest Speakers such as Paul Plant, Kate Wall and Claire Bickle. Perhaps, enjoy some of the other free entertainment, including the new Brisbane Valley Farm Directs Chef’s stage. Maybe catch a few demonstrations or simply relax in our serene outdoor ambiance and listen to live music and Indulge in some mouth-watering food. Don't miss this day of green-thumbed adventure and family-friendly fun in the heart of Esk . Entry $5 - Under 16 free.

8.45 am Care4esK - Topic: Getting to know Somerset’s Endangered Koalas and Threatened Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies.

Care4esK is a community group of dedicated volunteers based in the Somerset Region. They collaborate with multiple agencies, including Queensland Universities and First Nations groups, to research local Koala and Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby populations. This research enables a broader understanding of these Threatened and Endangered species. Care4esK is also part of a network of wildlife rescuers, aiding in the rescue and transport of sick and injured Koalas at all hours of the day and night. Our precious wildlife is being impacted in many ways. Creating a greater awareness and understanding is the key to securing a future for these species.

10 am Paul Plant - Topic : We have 5 senses so let's use them in the garden.

He has the perfect name for it and, fortunately, he has the enthusiasm to match. Paul Plant’s experience as editor and owner of Sub Tropical Gardening magazine is backed by his various roles on regional radio as gardening presenter which in turn is backed by his career as a horticulturalist. Currently he is Garden Talkback Presenter at 4BC Brisbane. Paul, a Registered Horticulturist is recognised as one of the most influential garden people in Australia. Paul loves to share his knowledge and passion about gardening. He is one of eight people in Australia recognised in the 2016 book by Dr Anne Vale ‘Influential Australian Garden People’.

11.30 Kate Wall - Topic : Habitat Gardening

Kate is a gardening coach based in Brisbane, whose mission is to empower gardeners to create their own dream gardens; gardens which are beautiful, sustainable, and personal. Kate’s career changed from environmental science to professional gardening after the 2011 floods in which her own local community was severely affected. Her volunteer efforts to restore flooded gardens saw her earn several awards including a prestigious “Ray Phippard Fellowship” from the Lions International. Kate is the author of three popular gardening books: Working With Weeds; a practical guide to understanding, using and managing weeds, Earth Repair Gardening; The lazy gardener’s guide to saving the Earth, and Gardening After A Flood.

1 pm Claire Bickle - Topic: Citrus Success

Claire is well known for her enthusiastic presenting, writing, broadcasting, and educating on her favourite topics; gardening, chooks, children and all things related to sustainability and nature. She has written for many publications and companies over the years. Claire is a regular presenter of gardening and sustainability topics on ABC Radio Brisbane. On her 2acre garden in the western suburbs of Brisbane Claire takes pleasure in creating, enjoying, and working her eclectic productive yet ornamental garden for herself, husband and 3 children. This is all combined to blend in with the surrounding native habitat. And there is of course her collection of various poultry, from chooks to ducks, plus geese and turkeys.

Brisbane Valley Farm Direct Chef’s Stage

Farm to fork cooking demos with award winning chef Jason Peppler. Jason will be creating healthy inspiring dishes showcasing Brisbane Valley Farm Directs locally produced meat & poultry and a delicious assortment of locally grown, made or produced products. Demonstrations will run from 9am till 2pm throughout the day and include tastings, product presentations and information on preparing and using local products.

Jason Peppler has over 30 years' experience from owning his own fine dining restaurant to feeding hungry workers in stock yards. Before joining the Brisbane Valley Farm Direct team, Jason was the head executive chef for The Victoria Park Golf Course for nearly a decade.

Meet The Maker Demonstrations.

Our meet The maker demonstrations features an opportunity to meet the artists, and experience the unique chance to see them working live, this year we feature the dynamic Artist Julie Ross from The Rusty Rose. Julie will be showing visitors how she builds her sculptures using her own hand-building techniques to create her unique artwork made from recycled corrugated iron and wire.

Free Kids Face Painting

Happy kids mean happy parents, and we’re bringing happiness in droves with FREE kids face painting. There’s no need to leave the kids at home bring the little gardeners along, fuel their imaginations, and make the Esk Garden Fair an exciting experience for the whole family. Whether they want some pretty flowers or a spider, our talented face painter Wendy will be providing Free Garden themed face painting all day.

The Healing Garden Display and workshops:

Amongst the big gums at Shady Trees food court, you will find an immersive, sensory garden installation inspired by the healing properties of plants. The installation is made from recycled fabric and yarn by the Somerset community, in collaboration with Somerset the Condensery - Somerset Regional Art Gallery and the internationally renowned Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango. Visitors are encouraged to help add to the display, all materials provided, this is a beginner and child-friendly experience promises to be both creative and therapeutic. Healing Garden is an initiative of The Condensery, owned and operated by Somerset Regional Council. The project was made possible thanks to the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance. Photograph by Jim Filmer

Live Music

Indulge in local food, Sit and relax in our serene outdoor ambiance and listen to timeless tunes from Lisa Taylor and Tom Deans.

Entry Cost

A message from our committee: We are dedicated to providing the ultimate destination for gardening enthusiasts with a budget friendly day out, regrettably costs to run our event have increased substantially. Therefore, this year we will be charging an entry fee of $5 for adults, under 16 years free. By implementing a $5 entry and the very generous support from our sponsors the funds we raise will allow us to remain a not-for-profit event and be sustainable, into the foreseeable future.

Do you have places to sit?

We have 3 food courts positioned conveniently around the grounds with each food court providing table and chairs seating for around 100 people at each area, as well as some seating at the old Esk Railway Station and the large grassy hill opposite which is a popular spot for families to sit and let the kids play on the hill while the parents relax in the lovely winter sun and take in the view. We pride ourselves on offering multiple comfortable areas to relax and recharge and immerse yourself in the country atmosphere and hospitality of Esk.

Are there food options?

To keep everyone fed and happy we source a variety of different food vendors both sweet and savory, hot and cold options. With over 14 food vendors throughout the event, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste buds!. All vendors are encouraged to offer options for vegetarians and vegans as well as those who require gluten free or dairy free diet. You will find vendors have notations on our stallholders list when it is announced to what options they cater for. Also, to satisfy your caffeine cravings we have 5 coffee vendors, so you won’t have to look far.

Is there anything else to do on the day?

It's not just about gardening while you’re in town make sure to visit the Esk Country Markets and the CWA Craft Fair that are right next door, and be sure to take a stroll around town and check out the many unique shops, cafes and pubs and immerse yourself in the country atmosphere of Esk. The Makers Market is also on in Toogoolawah (15 minute drive). Check our events listing for more details.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes we love dogs, please keep them on a lead and under supervision at all times.

Bringing a Coach

Groups arriving via coach that book 30 or more, can receive reduced entry at $4 each. All you have to do to get this deal is book your coach in with us and pre-pay, via bank deposit or cheque. VIP Bus stop with greeting hostess for a smooth experience.
Ready to book? Just shoot an email to valleyofthelakesgardenclub@gmail.com

Stallholder Enquires

If you are interested in being a stallholder, all our sites are booked for 2024. However, you can email your stall details and we will review to see if we have any gaps in our variety of stalls that you may fill or go on our waiting list. We are strictly garden related, plants, garden art and garden related items only are permitted. Craft stalls can book at the ESK CWA craft Fair and regular market stalls can book at the Esk Country Markets.

Who are we?

The Esk Garden Fair is presented by the Valley of the Lakes Garden Club. We are a community non-profit organization, that focus on general gardening, plants of all kinds, and anything associated with gardening. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, at the Somerset Civic Centre 35 Esk-Hampton Road Esk, where we have guest speakers, monthly raffle, display table and plant sales.

Our aim

To hold a not-for-profit event to showcase Esk and the Somerset Region. To promote the enjoyment of gardening, friendship and a healthy lifestyle through gardening. Money raised is used to pay expenses relating to the fair with the balance of funds being held over to help cover costs for the next year’s event.

How we started

The Valley of the Lakes Garden Club held the first Esk Garden Fair on June 18th, 2016. Since then, the Esk Garden Fair has gone from strength to strength winning the Somerset event of the year in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.