The Twilight Food Affair had humble beginnings in 1997, only two years after Tatachilla Lutheran College was founded.
At the time, the event was known as ‘Farm Day’ and it was held on the site of the former Tatachilla Camp.
Farm Day was an annual celebration of country life, featuring animal rides, a petting zoo, fashion parades, trading tables filled with homemade goodies and cake displays.
From 2001 onwards, Farm Day was replaced with the Twilight Picnic in the college’s main quadrangle. At this stage the school grounds were more established and the event likewise became more sophisticated, with families invited to purchase a boxed meal upon arrival and enjoy local live entertainment.
As the college grew, so too did the celebrations. After the acquisition of second-hand market stalls in 2005, the newly named Twilight Food Affair moved to the Junior School oval. Local businesses were invited to hire a site and operate food stalls while the college provided side-show fun and entertainment for the community.
In 2010 the college introduced carnival rides and in 2012 the first fireworks display was held.
Unfortunately between 2020 and 2022 the Twilight Food Affair was unable to take place due to the COVID pandemic and strict social distancing measures that were in place nationwide.
In 2023, the Twilight Food Affair celebrated its post-COVID comeback by attracting its biggest crowd in college history. More than 5,000 people flooded through the college gates to enjoy stand-out evening of family fun before the close of Daylight Saving and the onset of winter. The 2023 event also featured a nine-minute fireworks display – the longest and most spectacular the college has ever hosted.
At its heart, the Twilight Food Affair is about community and coming together to celebrate the best of Tatachilla and the region. It is now the biggest event in the college calendar and a particularly special opportunity for memory-making, togetherness and fun.
