2009 Cherry Festival News

Well what a weekend it was! Things just got off to a fantastic start with what was a fantastic night at the Cherry Queen Ball. Congratulations must go to Amy who took the crown in what was a very close competition! But congratulations must also go to both Carlie & Simone who both put their heart and soul into the competition!

Saturday was CRAZY! What a day! Happy residents taking part in the festivities, delighted stall holders (always a great indication as to the numbers) and most importantly happy visitors! Check out the following email we received in the Young Visitor Information Centre on Monday morning!

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Subject: Friendly Young

Hi to the people of Young.

My wife & I just spent 4 days in Young during the Cherry Festival. We were part of a group of ten people & I would like to congratulate the city on the great weekend. We loved the parade, the mini tattoo and the weather that you arranged for the whole weekend. The atmosphere was fantastic, with everyone seeming to enjoy themselves.

But most of all we would like to congratulate the people of Young for their courtious and friendly manner. I can't remember one person who didn't make us feel welcome. From the shop assistants to the volunteers to the people in the tourist office to the locals in the street, everyone was in a happy mood, which leads to happy visitors.

Thank you Judy & Ken for your great feedback and we look forward to seeing you in Young again for the National Cherry Festival 2010! As you can see, Judy & Ken live in a beautiful part of this great country, but when it comes to the beginning of December there is no place they would rather be then in Young... the Cherry Capital of Australia!

Sunday was also a ripper with another successful 'Big Breakfast' getting everybody onto the right foot! A great line up of entertainment including the 'Cherry Pip Spit' was held. Mayor Stuart Freudenstein carefully checked the cherrys with a metal detector whilst I carefully weighed selected cherries. The results were negative and the competition was cleared for take off!

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01/12/2009 NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL WINS NSW TOURISM REGIONAL FLAGSHIP EVENT STATUS IN 2010!

The NSW Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay, today announced that the National Cherry Festival has been selected to receive state funding through the Regional Flagship Event grant program. The National Cherry Festival will be one of twenty events selected in Regional NSW that will benefit from not only $ 250,000 in allocated grant money but also a further marketing budget of $ 162,000 that will be made available to Tourism NSW to market all Regional Flagship Events.

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Please click on the below link to see the news article on the upcoming Cherry Festival 2009! With many thanks to our festival friends at Prime TV!

Footage no longer available
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04/11/2009 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROPOSED TO THWART CHEATING PIP SPITTERS

International cooperation has resulted in the elimination of a serious threat to the integrity of the famous ‘Cherry Pip Spit’ event to be held at the 60th Anniversary of the National Cherry Festival in Young NSW.

Mayor Freudenstein summed up the feeling of the town… “If you want to come and use manipulated cherry stones to win an event in Young, we will catch you. But if you want to come to Young, enjoy the 60th Anniversary of The National Cherry Festival, all of the entertainment it offers and our genuine country hospitality you are most welcome to join us on the 4th, 5th and 6th of December’.

Please download our 2009 program to read the full story and to see the shocking images of manipulated cherry pips by clicking here or download our press release below.

07/12/2009 NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL 2009 ANOTHER RECORD BUSTER!!

01/12/2009 NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL WINS NSW TOURISM REGIONAL FLAGSHIP EVENT STATUS IN 2010!

04/11/2009 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROPOSED TO THWART CHEATING PIP SPITTERS