ORCHID enthusiasts will gather at St Patrick's Hall in Ford Street this weekend for the annual Wangaratta Orchid Show, with a wide variety of beautiful blooms expected to be on display.
Each year the event attracts growers from across the region and beyond who will enter orchids in a variety of categories, although the show is widely known for its focus on Cymbidiums.
Wangaratta District Orchid Society president John Hawker said despite chilly conditions experienced earlier this week and the worst frosts since 2006, he was hopeful a run of warmer days would benefit emerging flowers in the leadup to the show.
"I've spoken to some of the people planning to come along, and there should be some quality plants on display," he said.
"We always have a good display of Cymbidiums, but we also have Australian native orchids and other genre from around the world.
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"There is also a wonderful vendor coming along too, with lots of good plants for sale."
A panel of six judges have been engaged to assess the entrants with prizes to be awarded in the three categories including Cymbidiums, Australian native orchids and other genre.
Mr Hawker's personal interest is in Australian native orchids and he's spent almost 30 years on a compilation of all the orchids found within the goldfields area of North East Victoria (within an 80 kilometre radius of Beechworth) which he hopes to be ready to publish in about 12 months.
"We are rich in native orchids in this region and I don't think the public is aware of just how many there are, and that's why this forthcoming book will be good," he said.
Mr Hawker said orchids are unique in that they all have an association with a fungi, so they require fungi in their soil or potting medium to keep them healthy.
He said when they are cultivated, they have to be fed regularly to make them flower, or "often and little".
They also require the right environment, such as a sheltered space with protection from frost, although he said some cooler climate varieties are much easier to grow.
This weekend's show will not only have many different orchid varieties to see and to purchase, but there will also be a display of photography, orchid art and a raffle.
The Wangaratta Orchid Show will be open from 11am until 4.30pm on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday and admission is $5 for adults (under 16 free).
There will be orchid displays, cash prizes, orchid sales and a raffle.
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What's on in brief
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Local football and netball finals this weekend
THE excitement of the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League finals series comes to Wangaratta this weekend, with two days packed full of football and netball action.
Saturday’s semi-finals will be hosted at Wangaratta Showgrounds, with the minor premiers in each grade looking to win through to the grand final if they win.
Yarrawonga takes on Rovers in the senior football, Wangaratta plays Albury in the reserve game, and it’s a derby final in the thirds.
On the netball court local teams will be in action all day, with the under 15 and under 17 Rovers, and Wangaratta Magpies C grade and B grade sides set to take centre stage at the showgrounds.
The show moves across the laneway to WJ Findlay Oval on Sunday, with the winner of each match to play in next weeks’ preliminary final round.
The football sees Lavington take on Albury in the thirds, Rovers up against Lavington in the reserves, and the Magpies clash with North Albury in the seniors.
The netball court at WJ Findlay Oval will be bustling all day, with the A grade clash between the Magpies and Corowa Rutherglen the highlight of the fixture.
Football kicks off across the weekend from 9.30am with the thirds, with the reserves from 11.45am and the seniors from 2pm.
The netball action commences with the under 15s from 8.30am, followed by the under 17s from 10am, C grade from 11.30am, A grade from 1pm, and B grade from 2.30pm.
A reminder the O&M enforces a strict no pets, no BYO alcohol and no glass container policy for the finals.
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Dance spectacular with The Tap Pack
FOLLOWING sold-out shows and rave reviews on London’s West End and Sydney Opera House, Australia’s hottest tap dance sensation, The Tap Pack, is coming to Wangaratta this weekend.
Picking up where The Rat Pack left off, the Tap Pack mix slick humour, high-energy entertainment and world-class tap dance, set to a soundtrack featuring songs from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr to Ed Sheeran, Michael Bublé and Beyoncé.
A show of pure entertainment inspired by the legendary kings of swing, The Tap Pack will hit the stage of the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday, September 6 at 7.30pm, with tickets available at wpacc.com.au.
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Johnny Cash and June Carter show
GET Rhythm, the Johnny Cash and June Carter Show, will visit the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention centre for the first time on Saturday, September 7.
A must-see for all Cash and country music fans, the acclaimed show is led by real life married couple and award-winning act, Mark and Joanne Caligiuri, backed by their full family band, playing all the hits of the country stars including Folsom Prison Blues, Walk the Line, Ring of Fire and famous duets Jackson and Long Legged Guitar Pickin Man.
The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are available now at wpacc.com.au.
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