Story perspectives

60th Stanthorpe Festival: Apple-Peeling Champion Shines

3/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Stanthorpe apple and grape harvest festival in Queensland celebrated its 60th year with an apple-peeling contest.
Kerrie Stratford, a 65-year-old champion, peeled 3.9 meters, short of her 2018 6.1-meter record.
Despite battling serious health issues, including Dercum’s disease, Stratford emphasized the contest's lighthearted nature.
The festival attracts about 70,000 visitors and generates $20 million over ten days, according to Vice-president Samantha Wantling, who noted deep-rooted local family connections.

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Story summary

The Stanthorpe apple and grape harvest festival in Queensland celebrated its 60th year with an apple-peeling contest.
Kerrie Stratford, a 65-year-old champion, peeled 3.9 meters, short of her 2018 6.1-meter record.
Despite battling serious health issues, including Dercum’s disease, Stratford emphasized the contest's lighthearted nature.
The festival attracts about 70,000 visitors and generates $20 million over ten days, according to Vice-president Samantha Wantling, who noted deep-rooted local family connections.