Autumn to be welcomed with style and flair at historic homestead

Homesteaders, history buffs and others are invited to welcome the new season at a day dedicated to all things autumn.

The heritage-listed Lanyon Homestead will host its annual Harvest Day Out for 2023 on Saturday, 4 March, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Assistant director of visitor engagement and interpretation at ACT Historic Places Anne Brake said the Day Out is for everyone and anyone.

“We’ve tried to make it a multi-generational event so the family can come together and everybody will find something that suits them.”

She added that attendees don’t need to be history experts to come along and have fun.

“It’s about finding ways to engage people and to interest them and excite them about things, and then giving them something extra to think about as they go.”

Visitors will also be treated to a series of workshops, demonstrations, tours and more.

2023 is a year of firsts for the team behind Harvest Day Out, as they seek to expand the day’s offerings, said Ms Brake.

“We’ve kind of upped the ante, if you like, and started to include market stalls and food trucks and those kinds of things, so we’ve got a lot more variety this year than we have had in the past when we’ve mainly just had our talks and demonstrations and those kinds of things.”

In 2023, the theme of the Harvest Day Out is ‘grow – preserve – sustain’.

“We’ve got Aboriginal native plants talk, and we’ve also got a lovely walk that goes down to our Scar Tree and down to the river with Aboriginal elder Wally Bell.

“There’s quite a range of different things you can see on the website regarding the workshops and demonstrations,” she added.

Ms Brake said that market stalls will also have various items available, such as gardening tools, succulents, produce, handicrafts and jewellery.

To make sure no one goes hungry or thirsty, the food and drink offerings will include the Tuggeranong Men’s Shed’s Tornado Potatoes, coffee, French patisserie, ice cream, Brazilian barbecue and a lemonade stall.

Additionally, live music has been organised to keep attendees entertained throughout the day.

The Rural Fire Service will bring a fire trick, while activities and games on the lawn have been organised to keep youngsters entertained.

“You can come, have something to eat, grab a bargain, play some games, maybe go to a tour or a workshop or something like that,” she said.

The Harvest Day Out’s return for 2023 follows its cancellation in 2022 due to poor weather. But as Saturday approaches, Ms Brake said the team behind the day Out is optimistic the forecast will be kinder to them.

“At this point, we’re feeling fairly confident the weather forecast is looking pretty good – not too hot, either, which is lovely!”

Entry to the Harvest Day Out is free, but tickets for some workshops and talks need to be purchased online.

Lanyon Homestead is at Tharwa Drive, Tharwa.