GUYRA will be buzzing for the next fortnight as the town’s annual Lamb and Potato Festival kicks off today.
President Steve Mepham said despite the drought conditions making life tough for the region’s farmers, the festival would be as big as ever.
“It gets busy on the two weekends, but all through the week the stalls will be set up with music playing,” he said.
On the final weekend, the highlight will be the car show and shine, while the popular World War II military vehicle display will also return.
“Last year the model train display was very popular and that will be back again, too,” Mr Mepham said.
The Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival has been running for more than 25 years.
Local Rotary Club members Royce Newbury and Frank Presnell decided that the major products of Guyra – then being prime lamb and potatoes – should be promoted, with a week-long festival to be held in January.
The first Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival was held in January 1987 in Rotary Park on the New England Highway to catch the eye of passing holiday traffic and to also coincide with travellers to and from the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Over the years this has proved a successful tactic.
Mr Mepham said the town’s businesses, as well as the sporting and community groups, were the big benefactors.
“The businesses get plenty of traffic, while the community groups split around $40,000 between them,” he said.
The Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival starts today (15 January) and finishes 27 January.
