The Twilight Food Affair as we know it had humble beginnings in 1997, only two years after the 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 2008, the Twilight Food Affair attracted its biggest crowd to date. This was despite the event having to be postponed due to South Australia’s soaring temperatures, with the community enduring the hottest March on record.
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 we celebrate the glorious comeback of the Twilight Food Affair, 26 years since it first began. This year’s program boasts eight different carnival rides, a nine-minute fireworks display, an exclusive sneak peak of the College’s upcoming musical, ‘Big Fish’, and more than 30 food stalls.
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 biggest event in the College calendar, and a particularly special time for memory-making, togetherness and fun.
