Greater Shepparton City Council has announced Fryers Street Food Festival is set to return next year, after a huge turnout in 2019.
The November event will be delivered by local event organisers Liz Connick of Your Project Partner and Jamie Lea of JL Productions.
Ms Connick and Ms Lea first partnered together for last year’s food festival, which boasted 57 food vendors and four stages championing food and local artists.
Ms Connick said it was a shame that the festival couldn’t happen this year after months of disruption to the hospitality and entertainment sector.
But the decision to push it back was a necessary one.
“We want an event that our community is going to feel comfortable with — we need to consider that,” she said.
“We’ll use that time between now and then to see ... how we can shape a really thoughtful and safe event.”
Ms Connick said she was “really thrilled” to be managing the event again with Ms Lea after the successes of last year.
The festival attracted more than 11,000 visitors over the course of two days.
“We were so exhausted, but our hearts were so full,” she said.
“We love bringing people together and it's been really sad to not be able to provide those experiences.”
She said next year's official date, however, was “exciting” and gave her hope.
“The community can be guaranteed there will be fantastic food available, there will be space to celebrate, there will be live music,” she said.
“Events do bring people together, whether they're food events, live music, sporting events, they provide connection.
“Our tagline last year was gather and share, and that’s very much what the celebration is all about.”
In the meantime, Ms Connick is urging community members to “ring restaurants, make bookings, turn up and enjoy the diversity of food that we do have in Shepparton with friends and family".
Greater Shepparton City Council said it would work with the event organisers to monitor the latest health and safety guidelines in the lead-up to the festival.
The festival would be postponed or cancelled if COVID-19 safety protocols weren’t met.
Ms Lea said the health and safety of her team and the community "always comes first".
“But certainly now that we have a longer contract, we will endeavor to continue the momentum and the energy and just keep rolling on year after year,” she said.
“I just can't wait to watch the festival evolve and thrive.”
Ms Lea urged anyone who was keen to get involved to get in touch.
“Anyone thinking about it, don’t hesitate,” she said.
“It will be all hands on deck to make sure this event is everything it can be, and more.”
Greater Shepparton City Council's economic development manager Anthony Nicolaci said he was “excited” to see Ms Connick and Ms Lea deliver a community event to celebrate the best of the region.
“The festival continues to grow each year and always puts on a wonderful display of what our region has to offer,” he said.
“It will give many operators and performers something to look forward to and the opportunity to showcase their talents and encourage the wider community to visit our region and support local.”
Growing Greater Shepparton business marketing co-ordinator Mat Innes-Irons said since it began five years ago the event had grown to be a local and tourist favourite.
“The event will be a huge boost to our local event suppliers and service providers who play a crucial role in delivering large-scale professional events,” he said.
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