Celebrating the Heart of the Granite Belt – Apple & Grape Festival

Celebrating the Heart of the Granite Belt – Apple & Grape Festival - 60 Years and still crushing it!

Every two years, the Granite Belt comes alive with colour, music, food and celebration as Stanthorpe hosts the iconic Apple & Grape Festival.

But beyond the parades, the music and the incredible street energy, this festival is really about something much deeper — our farmers, our growers, and the generations who built this region through hard work and determination.

The Apple & Grape Festival has always been a celebration of harvest. It honours the orchardists who tended their apple trees through frost and drought, the vineyard families who nurtured vines across the granite soil, and the growers who helped shape the Granite Belt into one of Australia’s most unique agricultural regions.

The Backbone of the Festival – Our Farmers

Long before the festival became the vibrant community event it is today, the Granite Belt was built by families who believed in the land.

Many of those early orchardists were immigrants who travelled from Europe to build new lives in Australia. Among them were families from England and a strong Italian community who helped shape the agricultural identity of the region.

Michael’s grandfather, Bert Smith, was one of those early orchardists. Originally from England, he settled in Stanthorpe and became part of the growing community of farmers who worked the Granite Belt’s rich granite soils to produce exceptional fruit.

His apples were recognised among the finest in Australia. Bert’s carefully prepared fruit displays were entered into prestigious agricultural competitions, progressing from Stanthorpe to Brisbane and ultimately to the Royal Sydney Show. In recognition of his excellence, his apples were even selected for presentation to His Majesty King George VI.

Growing up, Michael spent time around the orchards and family stories that surrounded them. As a small child, he proudly believed that the famous Granny Smith apple had actually been named after his Nana — a story that still brings a smile today and captures the innocence and pride many local families feel about their farming heritage.

These stories are part of what makes the Granite Belt so special. Farming here has never been easy. It requires resilience — long days, cold winters, and the constant challenge of working with nature. Yet generation after generation has continued to nurture the land and bring each harvest to life.

Today the region’s agricultural story continues through a new generation of growers. Alongside apples and stone fruit, the Granite Belt is now internationally recognised for its vineyards, boutique wineries and the celebrated Strange Bird wine movement, producing varietals rarely grown elsewhere in Australia.

It’s this spirit of innovation, built on the foundation of traditional farming families, that keeps the Granite Belt thriving.

The Volunteers Who Make It Happen

Another remarkable part of the Apple & Grape Festival is the army of volunteers who bring it all together.

Hundreds of locals donate their time to organise events, build floats, coordinate parades, manage logistics and ensure the entire weekend runs smoothly.

These volunteers are the quiet heroes behind the scenes — people who give their time not for recognition, but because they love this community and the traditions that make Stanthorpe special.

From committee members to float builders, stallholders and helpers working late into the night, the festival simply wouldn’t exist without them.

A Celebration of Community

What makes the Apple & Grape Festival truly special is the way it brings everyone together.

Locals who have lived here for generations stand alongside new residents who have chosen the Granite Belt as their home. Visitors travel from across Queensland and beyond to experience the atmosphere, taste our local produce and discover the character of this unique region.

It’s a celebration not just of agriculture, but of community spirit, heritage and creativity.

Proud to Be Part of It

At Pink Poppies Living Creatively, we feel incredibly proud to be part of the Stanthorpe community during this special time.

Like many small regional businesses, our story is woven into the life of this town. The festival reminds us how fortunate we are to live and work in a place where community matters, where local farmers continue to shape our landscape, and where volunteers keep traditions alive.

As the Apple & Grape Festival fills the streets with colour and celebration, we pause to recognise the people at its heart — the growers, the farmers, and the volunteers who make it all possible.

They are the true backbone of this remarkable event.

And for that, we say thank you.