Hooked on Portland offers all the right ingredients
Published on 24 April 2022
Food, fishing and music lovers flocked to Portland over the long weekend to enjoy Hooked on Portland, one of the region’s fastest growing food, music and lifestyle festivals.
Festival attendees delighted in the range of offerings which included family amusements, skateboarding competition, fishing competition, cooking demonstrations from River Cottage television chef Paul West and an evening of Australian entertainment, headlined by indie rock band The Pierce Brothers.
Glenelg Shire Council Mayor Cr Anita Rank said the festival was a huge success, experiencing strong crowds across the weekend.
“From Friday afternoon through to Sunday evening the town was absolutely buzzing, with the festival attracting thousands of attendees from right around Victoria thanks to the full day schedule of free family-friendly entertainment, and the pristine weather conditions,” she said.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better Autumn day in Portland, it was the perfect setting to showcase all that our beautiful city has to offer.
“It is safe to say that Hooked on Portland is officially on the map as a premier event in south-west Victoria, and very quickly, has garnered a strong following of loyal festival-goers who continue to return each year. We look forward to seeing this iconic event continue to evolve and promote our region to a national audience.”
Festival goers were treated to roaming circus performances, market stalls and free fishing clinics with the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
Television chef and sustainability advocate Paul West wooed crowds on Saturday from the food and fishing hub, sharing his culinary secrets to a packed room as part of the cooking demonstrations with Fishing Edge’s Lee Raynor. West also presented at a sold-out author event at the Portland Library on Sunday to discuss his latest book Homegrown, and meet with local fans.
The live entertainment once again pulled in strong crowds to the Bentinck Street lawns on Saturday, with families bringing picnic rugs and chairs from the early afternoon to listen to more than five hours of free live music at the main stage.
The evening’s set list culminated with another high energy performance from festival favourites The Pierce Brothers, fresh from their Byron Bay Blues Fest appearance.