The festival is called Renewable Manilla and is the brainchild of Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc to celebrate its successful journey on the way to building a 4.95mW solar farm next year.

A brand new local initiative, The Market Project, was launched last month, and its first event - A Regional Market Day in Manilla - is shaping up to be one of the festival's highlights.

Renewable Manilla's Emma Stilts said the group aims to create stronger communities, promote the transition to renewable energy and inspire change.

The festival will focus heavily on inspiring the next generation, through art and science workshops.

"We'll invite local school groups to come and the workshops will be free of charge for kids to learn about art and sustainability and the science behind renewable energy technologies," she said.

"We will also be using local ecologists and artists to talk about the local flora and fauna, do botanical or animal illustrations of the local species from Manilla and species that are endangered."

READ ALSO:

The market day, to be held on Sunday, October 24 at the Manilla Showgrounds, is all about community and supporting locally made products.

"The solar farm has come as a result of the community, so the market project is supportive in that sense, where it's building stronger communities and bringing people together to support local makers," Ms Stilts added.

Local women Diana Lampard and Veronica Filby are behind the Market Project, and are aiming to assist communities to increase visitation to regional areas and bring cash flow opportunities into rural towns.

Ms Filby is calling for stall holders for the Manilla market and has been very pleased with the interest so far.

There is room for over 50 stalls at the showground and she has encouraged market businesses to continue to apply for a site.

Renewable Manilla runs from October 21 to 24, 2021, with a range of activities on offer.

More details can be found at www.renewablemanilla.com.au and stall holders who wish to apply for a stall can email marketprojectenquiries@gmail.com

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: