Outdoor Wanders

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We missed the chestnut beer…again. We have been curious about this beer ever since we saw it at our first visit to the Kalorama Chestnut Festival three years ago. This was our third year attending and we have yet to get to the beer stall before the chestnut beer sold out.

The Kalorama Chestnut festival is an annual event held on the first Sunday in May at Kalorama Reserve in the Dandenong Ranges. This fundraising event for Mt Dandenong Preschool has become a cherished tradition for the community and a fun family day out for locals and tourists alike.

As we walked up to the grounds, we immediately noticed that the festival seemed a little bigger this year. Market and food stalls lined the outside of the large oval and in the middle, stood several more stalls in smaller groups as well as rides, games, and other activities.

Our arrival was well timed as we had only passed a few stalls when we noticed two fairies with a group of children holding a colourful parachute. Alexis, thrilled at seeing the fairies, ran over and joined in as Fairy Elle and Fairy Snow, from a children’s entertainment company called True Fairies, led the group in making waves to bounce a ball around the parachute and hiding under it to make a mushroom.

Afterwards, the fairies led the kids into an orange-topped tent with gauzy purple fabric sides daintily decorated with vines and flowers. Inside, colourful cushions lay scattered upon the Persian carpets that covered the damp grass. Everyone took a seat and the fairies presented an engaging story time to a captivated audience.

When story time ended, Alexis asked me take a photo of her with Fairy Snow. Then, using their fingers, they ‘wrote’ their names on each other’s forehead so they would always remember each other. Fairy Snow then showed Alexis how she could visit her at night in Fairyland by making a fist with one hand and holding it with the other to her heart, closing her eyes and saying “Fairy Snow, take me to Fairyland. Please. Please. Please.” Then, a silver staircase would descend and take her there in her dreams.

Time to move on, we thanked and said goodbye to Fairy Snow. We made our way around the grounds browsing the wide range of stalls containing everything from art and hand-crafted items, jewellery, clothing, and toys, to soaps, baked goods and locally made jams. Beer and mulled wine were on offer along with several food stalls. Some of the foods of course, featured chestnuts including roasted chestnuts, chestnut brownies, poffertjees (little Dutch pancakes) with chestnut cream topping, chestnut dosa, and chestnut pumpkin soup.

We checked out a few of the other free activities around the grounds. There was a small display with a couple snakes, frogs and a hopping mouse. The CFA (Country Fire Authority) stall was demonstrating an antique fire pump and had little things for the kids such as press on tattoos. Alexis excitedly picked out one with a unicorn and the firefighter applied it to her hand. The scouts had a rope and wood climbing frame the kids could try. A stage provided live music and entertainment throughout the day.

There were several other activities you could pay to do such as carnival games, decorate your own cupcake, or make a bath bomb. There were a couple rides as well as a slide and other inflatable playgrounds, which in my opinion, were a bit steep at $6 a go.

By far, Alexis’s favourite activity of the day was the small petting zoo. We paid the gold coin entry fee and passed through the gate into the enclosure where goats, ducks, a goose, and a small pig were wandering around. Animals could freely go in and out of a fenced off section inside the enclosure allowing them to take a break from the kids. Inside this section, a calf was sleeping. Occasionally, a lamb or rabbit would cuddle up with it as chickens and ducks wandered around them.

In another corner of the enclosure, a pen contained guinea pigs, small rabbits, and baby chickens. Alexis took a seat on a hay bale and asked for a guinea pig. A man handed her a basket containing a guinea pig and Alexis became so quiet and serious, completely absorbed with the small animal. After a few minutes she handed the basket back and asked if she could hold a bunny. She absolutely loved holding and petting the animals. As the chicks were too young to be passed around, she finally relinquished her seat so someone else could have a turn. She spent the rest of the time trying to feed hay to the goats and petting the animals that were roaming around, getting excited when she was able to pet one of the ducks as they quickly ran by. She was having so much fun, I think we ended up spending about 45 minutes in there and was surprised they didn’t kick us out.

Having finally escaped the petting zoo, we headed over to the beer stall in hopes of trying the chestnut beer, only to discover it was sold out. They had other beer, but we decided to give it a pass and just give Alexis some time on the playground before heading home. Near the playground, I noticed a photography exhibit so I had a peek while Alexis ran off to play. A local real estate company was holding an amateur photography competition consisting of over 15 and under 15 categories. While Alexis climbed and ran around the playground, I enjoyed viewing the submissions and cast a vote for my favourite in each category.

As we drove home through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, we reflected on just how much was going on at this festival. Despite missing out on the chestnut beer again, we spent a few fun hours enjoying the festivities and fresh air at this fantastic autumn event. However, next year, I think we’ll get there early and head straight for the beer stall!