Wednesday 12th March

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: The Canberra Balloon Spectacular + Foodie News.

⛅️ Weather: 29° and cloudy. A slight 20% chance of a shower.

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🎈 The Canberra Balloon Spectacular

Who's planning on getting up early to watch the balloons launch this year? The Canberra Balloon Spectacular starts this Saturday and runs until Sunday, March 23. Every morning at around 6am, dozens of balloons will inflate at John Dunmore Lang Place. Inflation takes about 15–30 minutes, and most balloons will have launched by 7am.

The balloons will only launch if the weather is good. The Balloon Spectacular website will post a forecast around 6am each morning advising if flights are cancelled. Even if they don't take off, some balloons will most likely still inflate and remain tethered so there will be something to see. Details here.

🥐 Food and Drink: Lepi Bakery will be selling pastries, hot cross buns, and Vegemite scrolls. Le Petit Breton will be serving crêpes, and multiple coffee vendors will be on-site.

🚤 Love Boats Cruises: For a unique view of the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, Love Boats offers boat rentals so you can watch the balloons drift over the lake in the comfort of your own boat. The boats seat up to 10 people, and no boat license is required. They are also running a Balloon Spectacular cruise on their events boat. Details here.

🛶 Kayak Hire: The YMCA Sailing Club hires out kayaks during the Spectacular, providing all the necessary equipment, including a life jacket, head torch, kayak, and paddle. A safety boat will accompany you in case you need assistance. Details here.

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🍽️ Canberra Eats

Here's your weekly bite of food news in Canberra:

Andre's Osteria: There's a brand-new Mediterranean restaurant in Weston Creek. Andre's Osteria has opened in the space where My's Vietnamese used to be. See the menu.

That Other Place: One of Canberra's best restaurants, Pilot, is opening a new alfresco dining space for relaxed drinks and snacks next week. It’s walk-ins only. I'm curious to try one of their cocktails—the Canberra Colada, made with locally sourced rockmelon, Thai milk tea, rum, and coconut! Details here.

A Bite to Eat: A Bite to Eat in Chifley is under new management. The popular café closed for renovations for a couple of weeks but has now reopened. The new owner also runs Hide and Seek Café in North Lyneham. If you visit, let me know what you think of the new menu.

Luncheon in the Leaves: Beltana Farm in Pialligo is hosting a long lunch in the leaves. You'll be seated at a beautifully styled long table among the truffle trees. Details here.

Friends and Momos: Friends and Momos, a popular food truck in Woden serving handmade Nepalese dumplings, has expanded to the Northside! They've just opened a store in Gungahlin. Their website isn't working at the moment, but you'll find them at Shop 109/43 Hibberson St, Gungahlin.

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This Weekend: 🕰️ Antique and Collectable Fair

Rotary is holding its Seasonal Antique and Collectable Fair this weekend at Albert Hall. There will be local and interstate dealers selling antiques, art, jewellery, pottery, silver, bronzes, furniture, linen, glassware and more. Entry is $12 for adults, with funds raised benefiting charities supported by the Rotary Club. Details here.

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Classifieds:

🎶 Sleeping Stories: Canberra Symphony Orchestra's Sleeping Stories, a showcase of contemporary Australian music performed in the stunning surrounds of the Gandel Atrium at the National Museum of Australia. Compositions including Peggy Polias's 'Cameo' inspired by the blockbuster Pompeii exhibition. March 20, 6:30pm. Details here.

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Classifieds Support Canberra Digest

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This Weekend: 🏠 Miniature Show and Dollhouse Fair

Each year, the ACT Miniature Enthusiasts host an exhibition showcasing the work of their talented members. In 2025, the show's theme is "Including the Kitchen Sink." The event also features a marketplace with artisans and traders from across Australia, offering everything from dolls and teddy bears to intricate furniture, tiny gourmet foods, books, fabrics, lighting, and more—available in a variety of scales. Proceeds from the event will support Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, a local organisation celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The fair is happening this Saturday at the Weston Creek Community Centre. Details here.

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🎸 Live Music this Weekend

Here's this weekend's gig guide:

Thursday

• The East Pointers (folk) @ Smith’s Alternative

Friday

• Crucial Waft @ Dissent
• A Commoners Revolt (folk/punk) @ Live at the Polo
• Tijuana Cartel (dance/electronic) @ The Baso
• Lounge Baby @ Old Canberra Inn

Saturday

• Pseudo Echo (dance/electronic) @ The Baso
• Lost Coast (indie) @ Live at the Polo
• The Filthy Darlings / The Shadow Ministers / The Petch Experience (Better Music Staff Bands) @ Smith's Alternative
• Keith Potger (The Seekers tribute) @ Smith’s Alternative

Sunday

• Sam Buckingham (pop/folk) @ Smith’s Alternative

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This Weekend: 🔮 Good Earth Psychic Fair

Canberra's longest-running psychic fair is happening this weekend at EPIC. It will be a weekend of workshops, mediumship demonstrations, and unique and talented stallholders and readers. Details here.