Glenreagh Timber Festival: Where past meets present

Back by popular demand are the steam engine and vintage machinery displays.

BUILDING on last year’s record attendance, the region’s iconic Timber Festival returns to Glenreagh on Saturday 27 July.

Last year’s event attracted close to 9000 people, with organisers hoping to exceed that number next Saturday.

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Held at the Glenreagh Recreation Grounds, this popular community-run event supports a number of the village’s organisations.

One festival improvement this year is a brand new parking area that can fit over 3000 cars.

“With parking always a tricky option at the festival with limited space available, we worked hard this year with Clarence Valley Council to come up with a solution to limit traffic on the road and to improve our gate wait times for our attendees,” Festival Coordinator Rikki Cetinich told News Of The Area.

“Our new parking area via Tallawudjah Creek Road is accessible by all vehicles and has a direct gate into the festival grounds.”

The Glenreagh Timber Festival prides itself on offering a world where the past meets the present, and the spirit of the countryside comes alive.

The vibe is fun, with live music, bustling market stalls, a range of food trucks and a jam-packed program of events offered throughout the day.

“We are excited to announce our new ‘On the Land’ area this year that consists of produce and plant vendors, creative workshops, information sessions, and delightful encounters with working animals such as the Barru Working Kelpie demonstrations by Scott and Trish Amon who have been breeding and handling working kelpies for over four decades.”

After many years of absence, there’s a welcome return of the Bullock Team demonstrations as the main attraction to the On The Land program.

“Phil Thomson and his much-loved bullock team will be doing demonstrations in the back paddock behind the kids arena all day,” said Rikki.

Phill started working bullocks in the mid ‘70s.

According to Phill, driving a bullock team is like trying to coach a football team.

“Catch Phill as he brings the past to the present working his Bullock Team throughout the day.”

Phill loves a good Q and A and welcomes random chats when he’s at festivals.

The North Coast Axemen Association’s famous wood chop takes place in a new location on the main field.

New this year is Chainsaw Racing demonstrations, supported by Urunga Chainsaw and Mower.

“Jason Chisholm is a familiar sight wielding a chainsaw, with a number of national titles under his belt,” Rikki said.

“Jason, along with a bunch of fellow competitors from regional and national chainsaw racing competitions, will be giving post ripping, speed racing and disc stacking demonstrations.”

The chainsaw racing will be located in the same area as the wood chop and will be performed throughout the day.

The live music headliner is the Billie Jo Porter and Thor Phillips duo performing on the main stage with local artists Matty Devitt, Steve Wigham and up-and-coming young talent Kirra Hallam.

“We are welcoming back a crowd favourite to MC the event, The Voice 2021 runner-up Mick Harrington,” said Rikki.

The popular return steam engine and vintage machinery displays will make a popular return this year too.

Also welcomed back are the vintage bikes, cars and tractors.

“For the young adventurers, we have an array of exciting kids’ entertainment that will keep them captivated throughout the festival.”

From jumping castles and slides to interactive sensory play workshops and horse rides by HWH Stables.

The new Makedo Cardboard Kingdom is anticipated to be a family favourite where kids can create, learn and have big fun building a wonderful world of upcycled creations.

“This year we also welcome Troppo Bob the ultranormalist magician.

“What is an ultranormalist?” posed Rikki.

“It’s a unique title which attempts to describe Troppo Bob, who is anything but normal – a world class magical comedy entertainer who combines a unique group of entertainment skills including magic, illusions, comedy, mind reading, juggling, puppetry and ventriloquism.”

Troppo Bob’s Magic free show and balloon twisting will be showcased in the kids arena throughout the day.

For more information visit www.glenrraghtimberfestival.com.au.

By Andrea FERRARI

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