The Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival opened this morning.
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Now in its 33rd year, it is Guyra’s biggest event, running for 12 days, until Monday, January 28.
“It’s a fantastic community event that showcases what Guyra has to offer, not only in industry, but in lifestyle,” committee president Steve Mepham said.
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The event was first held in 1987 to attract visitors from the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
In 1986, Frank Presnell – now the Festival’s patron – and fellow Rotarian Royce Newbury decided to promote Guyra with a week-long festival of lamb and potato, then the town’s major products.
“Lamb was only $25 a head,” Mr Presnell remembered. “You could hardly get rid of it! It had to be really good for that – but now they’ve gone sky-high.”
Over the last 32 years, the festival has grown.
Tens of thousands of visitors come each year to see what makes Guyra special – and some like it so much they stay.
“People have moved to Guyra as a result of being to the Festival,” Mr Mepham said, “so to me that's probably what makes it so special.”
The festival is also Guyra’s biggest fundraiser; last year’s record-breaking attendance raised $36,000 for local community groups.
The centre of activities is Rotary Park, on the New England Highway. Each day begins with a big breakfast at 7.30am, and the fun rolls on till 8pm.
It’s all action stations at the food gazebo. Volunteers are on deck, cooking, selling, and serving signature lamb and potato dishes, including pies, sausages, and rissoles, as well as sweet treats.
“If anyone wants a good meal, come to Guyra and beat the heat!” Julie Gittoes said.
She heads a team of nearly 500 volunteers – 20 people working each day over the course of the festival.
She’ll need them; it’s an enormous undertaking.
More than 100 people had been served by lunchtime today – and Julie expects to use 180 legs of lamb, 450 kg of potatoes, and 1000 kg of chips.
“It’s like running McDonald’s!” she said.
The lambs all come from local properties. Frank Presnell’s family had sent 65 animals today.
Market stalls sell boutique wares, including honey and beeswax products, cheese, wine, sculptures, clothing, jewellery, leather, soaps, camping gear – and, of course, local potatoes and tomatoes.
“We can’t do without the stall-holders, and they can’t do without us,” Mr Presnell said.
There will be live music each day from the Regional Australia Bank stage. Don’t miss country music singer Tom Curtain’s free concert at the showground this Friday night, at 6pm. The two-time Golden Guitar winner and stockman will demonstrate horse and working dog training, and sing his award-winning music in the 90-minute Katherine Outback Experience.
Art connoisseurs should visit Brian Irving and Kay Smith’s exhibition at the Guyra Adult Learning Centre (GALA) from January 18 to 28.
There’s a local craft co-op and a floral display in the Anglican Church Hall; and dahlias (January 19-20) and model trains (January 26-27) in the Presbyterian Church Hall.
Motor enthusiasts should head to the classic caravan and WWII military vehicle musters, and the antique machinery rally (both January 25 to 27); and the Guyra District Automotive Club show ‘n’ shine (Saturday, January 26).
Mr Mepham and his committee have worked for a year to organise the event. The committee is small and ageing, Mr Mepham said, so he’s looking for younger volunteers to come along and learn community service and leadership.
The Armidale Regional Council and Regional Australia Bank sponsor the festival.
For more information, visit http://guyralambpotatofestival.com.