By Jeremy Sollars
Allora will host its annual heritage this weekend, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January, at the Allora Showgrounds.
The Heritage Weekend is known internationally having been a subject in historical vehicle magazines of Britain and other countries.
“It’s amazing what has been achieved from such humble beginnings,” said Graeme McMillan, past president of the Warwick Veteran and Vintage Vehicle Club, the organising body of the Heritage Weekend.
And humble they were, “the weekend was born 1995, as an opportunity for local enthusiasts to roll their vehicles, machinery and motors out of their sheds and have a bit of fun”.
In a few short years to year 2000 the Heritage Weekend became famous throughout Queensland and NSW and provided a line-up of hundreds of displays, the large majority working, for the enjoyment of the endless crowds rolling up to the event.
Recent years have provided the historical machinery feast with plenty of challenges weather wise, the 2011 Heritage Weekend actually cancelled due to local flooding issues, and the 2012 and 2013 events affected by rain.
“There’s not a lot we can do about the weather,” Mr McMillan said.
“We’ll be pushing on to create a special event for the public and those involved, and quietly confident of blue Southern Downs skies on the Australia Day weekend.”
The historical machinery extravaganza, arranged by the group of dedicated WVVVC volunteers from around the central and Southern Downs, takes pride of place in this part of the world, fittingly on the Australia Day weekend, and now boasts exhibit numbers in the thousands, countless visitors and international fame.
While historical machinery will roll into Allora from around Australia, the contribution from local vehicle and machinery restorers gives accurate recollections of the Southern Downs historical past.
Monster Mobile Bakery sure to be a hit
A special feature at this year’s weekend will be the Monster Mobile Bakery from Goondiwindi.
This monster bakery truck has it all, and the local boys behind the idea, Jim and Dennis Smith, are looking forward to being part of this year’s 2017 Allora Heritage Weekend.
The Mobile Bakery will soon be hitting the roads across Australia serving delicious pies up at major festivals and events.
Smith’s Pies flavours include meat and vegetable, pepper steak, curry, bacon and cheese, mushy pea and potato top.
Get in quick to see and taste from the World’s First Mobile Bakery at the Allora Heritage Weekend.
Asked why he created the world’s first mobile bakery, Jim quickly replied: “’Cause I’m silly” before sharing two stories.
The first is about their own experience of lining up at a well-known event – outside of the region – for more than 45 minutes to receive a measly piece of pizza costing $12.
The second story concerns Jim, in his retirement, helping out at a fundraiser for apprentice bakers at the Sydney Show and realising that few folk these days have had the pleasure of a freshly baked pie straight out of the oven.
So come along, check out this sensational mobile bakery, celebrate local entrepreneurship and enjoy one of Australia’s most iconic national dishes – the meat pie.
Fun facts on this monster mobile bakery’s capability:
* Can produce 1000 freshly baked pies per hour;
* Cooks 800kg of roast at one time;
* Feeds 4000 people without restocking;
* Holds four pallets of food stock;
* Has two cold rooms and a freezer built-in;
* The mobile bakery trailer is 48ft long;
* First mobile bakery in the world.
Allora Heritage Weekend program –
Saturday 28 January
9am: Novelty Events – Slow Tractor Challenge, Tractor Pull
10am: Parade – Tractors, hay balers, harvesters, etc.
12.15pm: Official opening / presentation
12.30pm: Parade – Cars
1.30pm: Novelty events, cent sale
2pm: Parade – Trucks
3pm: Novelty Events – Hay making, chaff cutting and corn shelling
Sunday 29 January
7am: Bush Poets
9am: Novelty events
11.30am: – Parade – Cars, tractors and trucks – feature vehicles
Entry is only $5 for adults, children free.
Catering and drinks are available for purchase all day including breakfast from approximately 7am. All food vendors are local.
For general information contact Peter on 0408 674 634 or Graeme on (07) 4666 3554. For information on the Swap Meet call Lyle on 0409 766 288.
Camping is $15 per night. For information call Greg on (07) 4697 3742.
To find out more visit www.alloraheritageweekend.org.au.
