Ekka spirit alive in Ipswich

The Brisbane Ekka might be postponed but you can still get into the spirit with ice cream sundaes, animal encounters, farm visits and produce tasting in Ipswich!

See the story here: https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/things-to-do-on-the-brisbane-ekka-holiday/

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Galvanized starts this month

The wait is over for the City's new festival to celebrate heritage gets underway this month.  From August 27-September 5 be transported back in time through iconic historic venues and sites, walking tours – including living history tours at the Ipswich Cemetery with actors in period costumes, heritage bus tours, demonstrations, and workshops.  There will be evening concerts and after dark events.

More information on events here: https://www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/

Contact Brenton Waters on 3810 6784

Father's day ideas

Here's a list of the hottest experiences on offer in Ipswich for Father's Day and a few deals.  Peters Motorsport are bringing the V8 Experience to Ipswich offering a $100 saving on six drive laps and three hot laps in their Supercar Mustang, there's also a family package where dad can drive and the fam can have a ride and another deal with nine drive laps in a commodore or falcon, three hot laps and in car video for $399 (save $50). See all the great Father's Day ideas here: https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/make-dads-day-with-these-great-fathers-day-ideas/

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33 Ipswich tourism businesses named best in Queensland

The rest of the country is catching on to what Ipswich locals already know: there's heaps of things to do, and many hidden gems, right here in our region.

Now, the city's tourism and experience expertise is being recognised by a record number of listings in this year's Best of Queensland Experiences list.

Luxury country retreat Spicers Hidden Vale was named one of the Best of Queensland experiences.

Spicers Hidden Vale General Manager Cameron Croad said “the country welcome, 12,000 acres of wide open spaces, nature-based experiences, unique adventures, relaxed luxury and our 'farm-to-fork dining' is some of the wonderful feedback we receive from our guests to why they return again and again.

“The entire Hidden Vale team and I are humbled and thrilled to be named Best of Queensland Experience.  Because our staff are so devoted the property, they are fully-committed to ensuring our guests are equally captivated and depart feeling revitalized; and our highly-awarded Homage team have elevated our culinary experience to a new creative level – continuing with our wood-fire discoveries, abundant produce from our own market garden and embracing the stunning hyper-local ingredients – some grown specifically for us,” Croad said.

Media release and full list here: https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/media/media-releases/articles/2021/best-of-queensland-right-here-in-ipswich

The Pirates of Penzance show to go on

The Ipswich Musical Theatre Company is gearing up for their annual performance despite lockdowns and ongoing restrictions. Rehearsals are resuming for the show which will take place at the Ipswich Civic Centre on September 11-19.  The show has performers from Ipswich, Brisbane, Redcliffe and Toowoomba.  The Ipswich Musical Theatre Company is where local performer Sophie Salvesani started her career.  She is currently performing as Maria in Westside Story at QPAC, in the show that has taken her all over Australia and the world.  Westside Story runs until August 22 after stopping for lockdowns.

Contact Brenda Ryan on 0417 776 894/ 3281 5752

New twilight market to stay

The Ipswich Showplace Markets have launched a twilight themed market on the last Saturday of every month.  Their Christmas in July market had over 3000 people attend.  The next will be August 28, country and western themed with rides, markets, food trucks, line dancers and country music rom 3pm-9pm.  Entry is $2, under 10 are free.

Contact Kelly Jacobs on 0478 787 159

Café Kalina adds art classes and trivia to offering

Popular Springfield café, Café Kalina has launched art classes and trivia nights to it's offering.  The events evenings are being held on weekend evenings, when the café would usually be closed, we hear the café will also have a stocked bar available for these nights.  Bookings are essential.

Contact Che Fell on 0447 966 242

Pumpyard to release two new brews

This month 4Hearts Brewing will be releasing two new beers at the Pumpyard Bar:

SOUTHERN CROSS SERIES – AUSTRALIAN IPA

At 4 Hearts Brewing we pride ourselves on being 100% Independent and Australian owned. As a reflection of this pride, we decided to release our Southern Cross Series of IPA's. This month will see the release of our first in the series an Australian IPA. The can art establishes the Southern Cross and Australian Flag in the true Aussie green and gold colours.  Using all Australian grown and sourced malt and hops with the combination of Galaxy, Enigma and Eclipse, that delivers a mix of tropical fruit characters, citrus, candied orange, pineapple and passionfruit.

4 HEARTS BREWING & BLACK HOPS BREWING – COLLABORATION – INDIA BLACK LAGER – I HEART LAGER

4 Hearts Brewing (4HB) & Black Hops brewing (BH) have a great history together as 4HB was wear BH first started to contract brew and was also home to the very first collaboration brew that BH did with another brewery.

As history repeats itself for the two breweries, the original collaboration the I Heart Lager will be released this August at 4 Hearts Brewing & Black Hops Brewing venues. The naming of the beer the I Heart Lager plays to the heart in 4 hearts, as well as the love for lager and just for an added touch it was decided to be brewed as a dark lager. The clean, crisp, hoppy black lager is brewed with cold pressed Carafa grain to give a rich black colour without the roast or bitterness you would expect from a dark beer. The generous dry hop addition of Motueka and Amarillo gives a punchy aroma and makes this fun for the cooler drinking season.

Images available.

Contact Abbie Glossop 3281 1004

Win a blacksmithing class

The Ipswich Historical Society is giving away five blacksmithing classes.  Nominations have poured in for this class being held on September 4, that would normally cost $271. Five will be randomly drawn at Cooneana Heritage Centre on Saturday 21 August and winners will be notified immediately.  They will need to have steel-toed boots, safety glasses and a cap and wear long-sleeves and trousers that are fire safe.  Anyone can enter: https://www.ipswichhistoricalsociety.com/what-we-do/blacksmith. Nominations close at midnight on Friday August 20.

Contact Sandi Jones on 3282 0358.

History events

As part of Galvanized the Ipswich Historical Society will be holding their final Back in Time Family Fun Day for 2021 on Sunday August 29. There will be a trackless train taking visitors around the site to see all the activities they can enjoy. There will be damper to taste cooked in a camp oven; Roy Clark, the wheelwright from Templin Museum, is coming to demonstrate making a metal tyre for a wagon wheel; the Ipswich Manx Society will have a display of their Celtic culture and Julie Maddocks will be showing children (and adults if interested) how to draw a bird or an animal.

There will also be great old-fashioned games and you can see the Spinners and Weavers at work.  Tickets are $7.50 per adult or $5 for children aged 3-12, family tickets are $25 for two adults and up to four children. There Heritage Bus will also be doing tours for $5 extra a ticket.

Then on Monday August 30, Tuesday August 31 and Wednesday September 1 the Cooneana Heritage Centre will open from 6pm to 8pm with the Ipswich Historical Society Blacksmiths at their forges, giving photographers an opportunity to take some “flaming good photos”. The Queensland Metal Artisans Collective will be open for photos and demonstrations as well. The Historical Motorcycle Club of Queensland Ipswich Area will be providing information sessions each evening in their club house.  On the Monday Errol Summerville will provide Tips and Tricks for Motorcycle Restoration, Tuesday John Webber will talk about Motorcycle Racing in Ipswich and Wednesday John and Allan Wellings will provide a history of the Historical Motorcycle Club of Queensland Ipswich Area.

There will also be an Introduction to Felting workshop on Monday August 30 and Tuesday August 31 in Brighton House.  The workshop is being held by the The Spinners, Weavers, Fibre Artisans of Ipswich and will cost is $30, and bookings via the secretary are essential as places are limited.

Contact Sandi Jones on 3282 0358

Porcelain painting demonstration

Ever wondered why rich ladies of old entertained visitors to tea and dinner so readily? Perhaps it was to show off their artistic talents by using tea and dinner sets they had painted themselves.  And you can learn how at 10am on Sunday August 22 as local artist Julie Maddocks demonstrates the art of porcelain painting and its history.  Tickets $10, includes morning tea and a look through the Cooneana Heritage Centre.  Book via email to ipswichhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or use the link on online https://www.ipswichhistoricalsociety.com/events-1/sunday-presentations

Contact Julie Maddocks on 0408 158 356

Moonlight walking tour

This August you can book into a special Moonlight walking tour in the White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, when the park would otherwise be closed.  Your guide will point out features of the area and local flora and fauna.  At the lookout have some nibbles including cheese and crackers and a drink before heading down again.  The tour is being held on Friday August 27 at dusk and you'll be able to see the twinkling lights of the Brisbane CBD at the rest point.  Cost is $40pp (not recommended for children under 8).

More details here: https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/tour/great-trails-of-ipswich-city-lights-walking-tour-white-rock-spring-mountain/

For more information/ images or famil enquiries don't hesitate to get in touch.