2022 Granny Smith Festival Bigger than Ever!
Published on 27 October 2022
This year’s Granny Smith Festival was bigger than ever, with an estimated crowd of some 100,000 people turning out for a sunshine-filled celebration at the heart of Eastwood.
Held on Saturday 15 October, the festival featured old favourites and new activities, with amusement rides, market stalls, food trucks, fireworks, performances, youth zone and kids activities. The Batlow Cider Bar on Eastwood Oval was a big hit, offering free cider tastings, apple seltzers and more.
Joining the iconic Grand Street Parade this year were a number of VIP guests including the NSW Premier, The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP; The Hon. Anthony Roberts MP; The Hon. Victor Dominello MP; Member for Bennelong Mr Jerome Laxale; City of Ryde Mayor Clr Jordan Lane, among others.
There was a wide range of market stalls offering apple-inspired delights and information about Council’s programs and events, as well as sponsor stalls. In a sign of the Granny Smith Festival’s popularity, sales figures were up on previous years, with the Batlow Cider Bar seeing a 218 percent increase on the previous year’s sales.
Headliner act Dami Im drew a significant crowd with fan favourites and new tunes. “Thank you for having me! Such a great atmosphere and passionate, fun crowd,” she said.
The day concluded with a spectacular fireworks finale on Eastwood Oval brightening up the night sky.
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jordan Lane, said, “It’s always a pleasure to come to this event and particularly to see people from all parts of the community celebrating and enjoying themselves together.”
City of Ryde CEO, Wayne Rylands, acknowledged all those who were involved in making the 2022 festival such a success. “Thank you to the City of Ryde staff, stallholders, performers, emergency services personnel and volunteers, as well as our fantastic community, who came together in Eastwood to celebrate with us.
“I would also like to thank our generous sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor RMA Eastwood, who helped make the festival possible, as well as Woolworths for their generous supply of granny smith apples in the lead up to and on the event day.”
The annual Granny Smith Festival celebrates the life and legacy of one of our district’s most famous citizens, Maria Ann Smith - aka Granny Smith - who, back in 1868, ‘accidentally’ grew the first batch of little green apples that bear her name and are now grown all over the world.
The Granny Smith Festival began in 1985 and is now regarded as one of Sydney’s largest street festivals, a true community carnival, full of colour and good old-fashioned fun. It is supported by local businesses, sporting and service organisations, schools and the wider community.