Festival to showcase wine region’s fairest, best

Thousands of punters will frock up for Mt Barker’s biggest annual event on Sunday, the Grapes and Gallops Festival.

The event showcases some of the fashion, racing and wine from the region and is headlined by the $100,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint.

The Mt Barker Turf Club’s big meet on the race calendar was postponed in January because of sweltering temperatures.

The decision was made to delay the event under Racing and Wagering WA’s heat policy.

The festival is a collaboration between the Mt Barker Turf Club and Mt Barker wine producers, and has blossomed into a major drawcard for the town.

There will be Fashions on the Field prizes and live music by Myles Mitchell and the Great Southern Roots.

Mt Barker Turf Club’s Maggie Hill said the race meeting was an opportunity to showcase what the region had to offer.

“We are hoping to have 2000 people come through the gates and our track is looking absolutely fantastic,” she said.

“We have fabulous wine and vendors offering a great selection of food and wine.”

“It’s a one-of-a-kind festival in WA. We have people coming from as far afield as Broome because they know it’s a great day.”

“It’s a combination of good racing, good wine and great food.”