When you start seeing the caravans heading south down the New England Highway for the Tamworth Country Music Festival you know the annual Guyra Lamb & Potato Festival has arrived.
Now in its 26th year Guyra’s premier event celebrates the rich agricultural history of the region. Beginning today January 18, and concluding on January 29, the 12 day festival gets bigger every year.
President of the Guyra Lamb & Potato Festival Steve Mepham and the Guyra community have been working hard to put the finishing touches to this year’s festival.
“We have been planning the festival all year and it is all coming together quite nicely at the moment,” Mr Mepham said.
“The potato growers have been in to see me to let us know that we have plenty of potatoes for this year. It was an issue for us last year with the wet weather.
“The big exciting thing this year is the new military display.”
“We’ve got WWI and WWII antique military vehicles coming to town from all over the Eastern States.
“We’re expecting over 80 vehicles, at this stage, to converge on the Showground on Saturday January 28.
“Our car show will also be a feature of this big day.
“Normally, we have about half a dozen clubs that bring cars on different days and this year we are trying to get them all together while the military display is on to make it a truly spectacular event.”
For the 12 day festival the tiny town of Guyra is abuzz with activity at the festival site along the New England Highway. Travellers and residents from neighbouring towns take the opportunity to browse the 35 quality stalls, check out the antique machinery that will be on display, sit down and relax with one of the many bands scheduled throughout the festival and tuck in to one of Guyra’s famous lamb pies.
“We sell a bucket load of our lamb pies that are made especially for us every year along with our lamb burgers and lamb and potato meals,” said Steve.
18 service Clubs from across Guyra pitch in to volunteer during the festival at the Gazebo.
“A large percentage of the money raised at the festival is disbursed to community organisations each year,” said Steve.
“Some funds are kept aside to make small improvements to the kitchen facility so it can cope with the growing demands.”
“The festival aims to showcase local produce, so wherever possible all produce used at the festival is purchased locally.”
Story: Jo Harrison
