Cootamundra and Gundagai are gearing up for local events that will breathe life into local calendars.
The Wattle Time Festival in Cootamundra and Festival of Gundagai will entice the communities to break out of the winter gloom as the festivals shine a spotlight on the wealth of talent and creativity that thrives within our midst and celebrate the beauty of the great outdoors.
These vibrant events promise to bring together our diverse community for a day filled with live entertainment, interactive displays, and opportunities to showcase and celebrate our local talents and businesses.
Cootamundra’s Wattle Time Festival will be held on Saturday 7 September kicking off with the ever-popular street parade on Parker Street, featuring floats, performers, and community groups. Followed by entertainment and market stalls in Cootamundra’s iconic Albert Park. Event goers will be able to immerse themselves in sounds of local talent with a lineup of live music performances, dance acts, and cultural showcases. A variety of interactive displays and exhibits celebrating the creativity and innovation of our community will delight those who love local arts and crafts. Country Markers Markets will feature handcrafted jewellery and artisanal baked goods along with unique fashion pieces and organic produce.
The return of Wattle Time has been celebrated by locals and will certainly be the place to be on Saturday 7 September.
Gundagai’s streets will come alive on Friday, September 20 with the Festival of Gundagai. Festival goers will enjoy shopping for one-of-a-kind treasures. Taste buds will be indulged with an array of delicious treats and savory delights from the selection of food trucks and vendors. From gourmet street food to homemade specialties, all appetites will be satisfied. There are plenty of children’s activities planned with an evening of fun-filled activities and entertainment designed just for the youngsters. Face painting and storytelling will set their imaginations. There’s no shortage of excitement for our youngest festivalgoers. The headline act is the popular four-piece band from Wagga, the Mighty Yak, who have a large following throughout the region. Combined with the Country Makers Markets, the Festival of Gundagai will deliver a celebration that marks Gundagai’s strength, resilience, and local flavour.
These events are a part of the Starry Nights Festival and are fully funded by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program. The Open Streets Program aims to inject vibrancy into our streets and help create thriving local places that support businesses, creative sectors, and the community through events and activations.
Minister for Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:
“We’re excited to support these events in Cootamundra and Gundagai.
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure. Great streets make great towns and centres and reflect the local community and culture.
“The Open Streets program is about temporarily transforming our main streets into vibrant and welcoming public event spaces.
“The colour and diversity of these 130 events celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb. This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community.”
It’s time to mark your calendars and be ready to enjoy a day out embracing the Spring weather, connecting with friends and family whilst supporting local businesses and community groups.
Photo and caption:
The Wattle Time Festival in Cootamundra will be held on Saturday 7 September followed by the Festival of Gundagai on Friday 20 September.
