The tiny township of Trentham celebrates its long history of potato growing with The Great Trentham Spudfest, a community-led festival bringing together local potato growers, artisans, music, food vendors, and history to showcase the region’s finest offerings across the weekend of May 3-4.
This year marks the 17th iteration of The Great Trentham Spudfest, though the deep red volcanic soils of the district have provided perfect potato-growing conditions since the 1860s.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said the Victorian Government was proud to support Spudfest through the Regional Events Fund .
“Events like this bring people to regional Victoria, showcase the incredible food and produce of the region, and support local businesses and jobs,” she said.“Whether it’s tasting some of the region’s best potatoes, enjoying the live music, or exploring Trentham’s unique heritage — Spudfest is a perfect weekend getaway with friends and family.”
The two-day event, held against a backdrop of spectacular autumn colour, attracts more than 8000 visitors and is hosted throughout the historic town of Trentham and surrounding districts.
“The iconic Spudfest is one of our region’s most celebrated family events, and Hepburn Shire Council is proud to support it,” said the mayor, Cr Don Henderson. “A true reflection of our region’s rich agricultural heritage, the event honours the hard work of our local farmers and brings together people to share in the fun, food, and festivities.”
Festival coordinator Kye Theobald said Spudfest remained a largely free event, with a selection of specially curated activities requiring tickets.
New for 2025 is the inaugural Digging Deep: Cooks in Conversation event on Sunday morning, featuring award-winning cookbook author and TV host Alice Zaslavsky, local chefs Tony Tan and Liam Downes, and moderator Jacinta Parsons at The Mechanics Trentham.
The festival runs a different program on each day.
“On Saturday, our legendary Street Fair is held in the heart of Trentham town, with four main precincts packed full of spud food, fresh regional produce, our local makers market, live music, and of course the fabulous Spud Olympics. It’s a great carnival atmosphere,” Kye said. “And if you want to buy a bag full of famous Trentham spuds, Saturday is the day all our growers are in town.”
Local farmer and fourth-generation spud grower Luke Wicker will be at the Railway Precinct on Saturday selling his kennebec, nicola, dutch cream, pontiac, sebago, and kipfler potatoes.
“The Wicker family has been growing potatoes in the fertile soils around Trentham for more than 100 years,” Luke said. “We reckon it’s some of the best potato-growing soil in the country. Spudfest is the biggest event of the year around town. So come and try our spuds and celebrate our history.”
Visitors can also join a Trentham Historical Society-led bus tour of the heritage-protected Spud Huts, dotted across the local landscape. Tickets sell out every year, so get in early.
Saturday evening the fun continues with the Spudfest Cèilidh, a family-friendly celebration of Celtic music, food and dancing, to mark the halfway point of the festival. The event will be held in The Mechanics Trentham and revellers can bring their own food or order a picnic pack from a selection of local traders. Tickets available via the Spudfest website.
For something extra special, local chef, author and farmer Annie Smithers will prepare an exclusive four-course feast celebrating the humble Trentham spud, at her famous restaurant Du
Fermier on Saturday evening. Very limited sittings for this event.
“Sunday is our Discovery Day, delivering the perfect energy shift from day one,” Kye said.
“Join the inaugural In Conversation event held in town, or take a gnocchi-making class at Hotel Trentham (wine and lunch included), or get out into the surrounding countryside and explore our curated Farm Gate Trail, filled with fresh-from-the-paddock produce, or book a tour of one of our renowned local farms. I personally recommend signing up for The Great Spud Scavenger Hunt.”
On Sunday, Trentham Town Square will transform into the Spud Hub, with freshly harvested potatoes on sale, exclusive Spudfest merch, details about all tours and trails, and sign-ups for the Scavenger Hut. Horse and cart rides, guided historic walking tours, and the Red Beard Bakery Scotch Oven tour will be operating during the day, while spudtastic dishes will be served all day at venues throughout the region.
The Great Trentham Spudfest is held on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Wurundjeri people. The featival acknowledges the Traditional custodians of this land and pays respect to
their Elders, past, present and emerging.
