Pomonal Hosts New Community-Led Festival Celebrating Recovery, Regional Spirit and Local Talent

Take Another Breath – Grampians is a new two-day festival launching this June in Pomonal, created to celebrate resilience, showcase regional excellence, and support recovery following the catastrophic 2024/25 bushfires.

Held on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June, the event brings together local food, wine, live music and community spirit, set against the stunning natural backdrop of the Grampians. It aims to drive visitation to Pomonal and the surrounding areas, creating long-term economic benefits and laying the foundation for a sustainable annual event.

“This is about more than just a great weekend out—it’s about supporting local producers, artists, and businesses while telling a story of recovery and renewal,” said organisers. “The community has come together to build something really special.”

The program kicks off Friday night at Barney’s Bar & Bistro with an Italian-inspired dinner created by in-house chef Altin, using locally sourced ingredients. The menu feature accompanying wines made with Italian varietals from Black & Ginger Wines, Best’s Wines, Fratin Brothers, and SubRosa Wines, hand-picked by sommelier Simon Freeman, and served by the winemakers themselves.

Saturday’s main festival day, also hosted at Barney’s, will feature a full line-up of regional musicians including Orange Whip, The Doodads, The Double Agents, Riley Mason, and DJ Tom Connor, with Russ Kellett as MC. Festivalgoers can browse over 20 artisan, wine and producer stalls, indulge in food truck fare from Valhalla BBQ and The Snack Shack, and enjoy plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

Grampians Wine members in attendance include:

Best’s Wines
Black & Ginger Wines
Clayfield Wines
Grampians Estate
Miner’s Ridge Wines
Mountainside Wines
SubRosa Wine

Children’s activities will include face painting, a bucking bull, inflatable axe throwing, boomerang painting and throwing and more!

The event is proudly community-led and committed to sourcing local operational services and talent wherever possible, helping to support small businesses in Pomonal, Ararat, and across the Grampians.

Take Another Breath – Grampians aligns with the broader Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism brand ‘The Grampians Way: Find Space, Find Yourself’ and complements Visit Victoria’s ‘Every Bit Different’ campaign.

When:

Friday 20th June 2025: 6:30-9:30pm
Saturday 21st June 2025: 12pm-10pm

Cost:

Friday: $100-$120 – 5 course Ecliptic Italian Feast (with or without wines)
Saturday: $15 (children under 16 free) with profits going back into the Pomonal Markets to support recovery.