Chestnuts are on the go

THE promise of hot roasted chestnuts will draw people from across the hills to Mt Dandenong Pre-School’s annual festival at Kalorama oval on Sunday.
The festival is a great family day out and has something for everyone.
It has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1960s from a chestnut stall to a family festival.
There is something for everyone from rides and entertainment for the children to market and plant stalls for the adults.
Finding something delicious to eat will be no trouble with an array of choices from Devonshire Teas to home-made biscuits and cakes.
But the main attraction is the hot roasted chestnut stall which is always popular with hills people.
Demonstrations by the CFA and presentations by Healesville Sanctuary and the Mt Dandenong Primary School drumming circle will also keep people entertained.
Chestnut festival committee member Ali Wynne said the festival would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the families and friends of the kinder and the support from many local businesses.
Ms Wynne said every year the chestnuts for the festival were carefully handpicked from a nearby property known as Folly Farm by local residents.
“It’s a tribute to the wonderful spirit that exists within the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.
Ms Wynne said with the hard work nearly complete and plenty of chestnuts ready for roasting, this year’s festival was expected to be a great family fun day out.
Entry to the festival is free and it is held at the Kalorama Reserve, Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, from 10am to 4pm.