The first Buy from the Bush Festival will be held 18 September at Summer Land Camel Farm in the Scenic Rim.
It will be a celebration of the flavours, foods, faces, wines, tourism experiences, talents, crafts and products of the bush.
With the cancellation of the Ekka, producers and farmers who used the 10-day event to share with communities produce from regional and rural areas, will be able to showcase their businesses.
Kerri Brennan started Buy From the Bush Qld in 2018 while her family-run cattle property in the Darling Downs was in the grips of a seven year drought.
“Buy From the Bush Qld has always been about supporting the Queensland bush battler with strength in numbers,” says Ms Brennan.
“From my own pain of not knowing how we were going to pay bills or keep the kids at school and knowing so many other women and families in rural Queensland who had started side-hustles to make ends meet, I knew that if we put the call out, an army of supporters would assemble, and this is what we have experienced.
“People in the city have always been wonderfully supportive of Aussie entrepreneurs and Buy From the Bush Qld was conceived to make that connection especially strong with Aussie businesses from country areas.”
Additionally, Ms Brennan operates a retail shop in New Farm that is cooperative of 50 rural and regional businesses.
“We’re making it easy and affordable for bush businesses to sell their products and services. We have invited makers, growers, producers, artists and businesses from as far way as Longreach and of course from across the Scenic Rim region – and it’s perfect to ensure that this year, it will a Queensland Christmas come 25 December,” says Ms Brennan.
Summer Land Camels CEO Paul Martin adds, “Being a proud bush business, we can’t wait for 18 September, and to welcome what will be a wonderful representation of bush businesses, from flavour makers, growers, wine makers, handmade wares, tourism providers, entertainers and more.
“We also have live music, camel rides, farm tours, kids’ games, face painting, guest speakers and other activities – it’ll be the best of the bush, right on the doorstep of the city!”