Yeoval is set to turn on the razzle dazzle for the next three days as it catches the cycling craze for the fifth year.
When Banjo Paterson first purchased Mulga Bill’s two-wheeled outlaw 114 years ago he never dreamed this character would be the star of a festival in the central west.
Yet more than one century later thousands of people are expected to come to the usually quiet town and celebrate all things Banjo Paterson.
Tonight’s main event will light up the town with Country Energy fireworks at 6.30pm.
Tomorrow and Saturday will start with a Poets Breakfast at 7.30am at the Yeoval Showground under the Wellington Council Marquee with catering by the Wellington Lions Club.
Festival organisers Sharon and Alf Cantrell said the ‘Banjo’ for the weekend would be well-known Australian actor and Banjo impersonator Geoffrey Graham from Eaglehawk in Victoria.
“Geoffrey has toured extensively with his one-man show The Man from Ironbark and his new show developed for the festival is Mulga Bill and Friends,” Mrs Cantrell said.
The other member of the group to lead the Poets Breakfast is Bob Skelton - a true bush poet and entertainer known as the Mini Magster.
“Bob hails from over towards Newcastle. Like the others, Bob also runs a one-man show and is very entertaining as he performs and recites.
“One of the exciting and enjoyable features of the Poets Breakfast is the audience participation where the unexpected can always happen and where gems of poetry - some new and others family favourites - are thrust to the fore to the enjoyment of the audience. Several phone calls to date indicate a very enthusiastic group of potential poets are already in the wings awaiting an opportunity to entertain.”
Festival guest of honour will be country music star Joy McKean who will officially open the Poets Walk in Buckinbah Bush Park. Joy, along with her late husband Slim Dusty, recorded many Banjo Paterson poems and put them to music.
Mr Cantrell said everyone was encouraged to meet at the Concert Stage at 1.45pm tomorrow when Joy would open the festival and cut the ribbon at the Poets Walk and plant a tree.
“Now tree-lined and established as a tourist walk, this historic walk will be officially opened by Joy on the 114th anniversary of the Mulga Bill Poem,” Mr Cantrell said.
For more information about the weekend’s festivities visit the website www.mulgabillfestival.com.au
