The picking of apples and grapes is already underway and Stanthorpe has even more reason to celebrate, since the countryside transformed back to a carpet of green on the back of above average rainfall in recent weeks.

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Festival President, Max Hunter, says the recent rain has been a game changer for Stanthorpe.

"The deluge of rainfall that came in January and February has seen a transformation in not only our landscape but also the spirits in our community. With many dams now filled with water, the local farmers and grape growers who are the centre of our harvest festival, now too will have more reason to enjoy the celebrations," he said.

It's only held once every two years and this year's festival is tipped to be as big a celebration as seen since the festival first started 'crushing it' in 1966.

Known for its messy grape-stomping antics, the 2020 festival program delivers all the favourite harvest events: the fun of grape crushing; a hotly contested apple peeling competition; plus a longer three-day Heritage Bank Food and Wine Fiesta on March 6-8. The Food and Wine Fiesta brings together the district's gourmet foods, award-winning wines and craft beer all to one location under the shady trees and picnic tables, all to the tunes of non-stop live entertainment.

There's much excitement about a new Kids Zone adjoining the Heritage Bank Food and Wine Fiesta, located right next door within Weeroona Park.

Festival entertainment and the party-filled atmosphere will spill out into the streets, on the big finale weekend March 6-8. Crowds will gather for the Grand Parade and Street Carnival, which will bring Australia's #1 whip cracking entertainer, Nathan 'Whippy' Griggs' and an explosive paint and light show to the streets with SoundStruck Percussion drumming.

A big line-up of live bands and an eclectic mix of buskers will fill the air through the finale weekend, though the most impressive musical spectacle belongs to the gathering of hundreds who will gather in brass bands, pipe bands and thunderous marching drum bands who hit the streets en-masse after the street parade on Saturday, March 7.

The first weekend of the festival, sees the staging of the South East Qld Finals of the Australian National Busking Championships take over Stanthorpe's CBD on Saturday, February 29, with a higher than average number of buskers indicating it's going to be a vibrant day to stroll the streets of Stanthorpe.

Also on the first weekend, That Dam Ride cycling event will draw cycling enthusiasts and novices alike for a ride on Sunday, March 1 which promises to be a picturesque route through the newly greened Granite Belt countryside.