CiderFest Spotlight - A Family Tradition
Since 2017, Joel and his partner have been making the annual trip from Haywards Bay to Batlow CiderFest — and they don’t come quietly. Dressed in traditional Dirndls and Lederhosen, this colourful couple (now with kids in tow!) have become a much-loved part of the CiderFest atmosphere, charming fellow festival-goers and locals alike.
Their journey began when they spotted a random ad on the Destination NSW website and decided to give Batlow CiderFest a try. They booked a tent site at the Showground and ended up spending the night around a campfire with strangers who soon became friends. The next morning, they stepped into the festival and were hooked — by the food, the cider, the music, and the welcoming community.
Each year, their group has grown. From Joel’s parents and siblings to cousins and extended family, the festival has become a yearly reunion of sorts. In 2019, their daughter made her CiderFest debut at just six months old, dressed as a tiny apple in a costume lovingly made by Joel’s mum — complete with apple beanie!
It was the fun, friendly energy of the festival that inspired their now-iconic traditional dress. “We love a chance to dress up,” they said. “It was a great icebreaker and led to so many lovely conversations with locals and organisers.” Now their growing family dresses up each year, adding to the fun and tradition.
Their favourite parts of CiderFest? “Exploring the area, spending time together, and soaking up the amazing mix of cider, food, music, markets, and even poetry!” The memories that stand out most are the simplest ones — like seeing their kids dancing joyfully to the live music.
Their go-to treats? “Potato slinky with chicken salt — every time. And I love the cider they run through red snakes! Joel’s a fan of the mulled cider – perfect for those crisp Batlow days.”
And how do people react to the costumes? “Lots of smiles and laughs. People stop to chat — especially the stallholders. I think they’re mostly commenting on how cute the kids are though!”
Though they sadly won’t be able to make it this year due to other commitments, they’ve already got their sights set on a big return — and probably an even bigger costume reveal.
“We just love it. It’s such a nice weekend away for us. CiderFest really showcases what Batlow and the region have to offer. We always leave looking forward to the next one.”
