Festive Fare
Festivals celebrate the changing seasons and the regions rich cultural heritage. Watch the local community spirit come alive each year at festival time.

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Annual Festivals     
Please refer to the COMMUNITY Events  page for more detail                                                                        

Upper Hunter Show (Muswellbrook Showground) 19th and 20th March, 2010 Cattle - Horses - Rodeo - Machinery - Mining Expo - Wild Rides - Yummy Tucker - Side Show Alley. Great entertainment at one of the Country’s last Great Shows Phone: (02) 6541 2014 Fax: (02) 6541 3029 Visit www.upperhuntershow.com.au
King of the Ranges 30th April - 2nd May 2010. 7.30am - late Each year Murrurundi celebrates the King of the Ranges Stockmen’s Challenge. This event showcases Australia's top stockmen compete in whip cracking, packhorse, bareback obstacle, cross country, shoeing, and stock handling, before the final competition with a Brumby catch and stock saddle buck-jump. Visit www.kingoftheranges.com.au
Scone & Upper Hunter Horse Festival May, 2010 The Horse Capital of Australia comes alive each May, celebrating the horse in its very own festival. It begins with a street parade, followed by a jam packed two weeks of thoroughbred sales, art shows, rodeos, country fairs, family fun days, fireworks, campdrafts and concludes with the Scone Cup Race carnival. Contact (02) 6545 1526 www.sconehorsefestival.com
Upper Hunter Wine and Food Affair 1st May 2010, 11am - 4pm First Saturday in May each year, Denman The Upper Hunter Wine and Food Affair attracts the best of the region’s gourmet food producers, and olive growers and vineyards. The wines, produced by some large and some small family-operated vineyards are some of the best in the Hunter Region to tempt and delight your taste-buds. Live music, taste testing samples and a fantastic atmosphere set the scene for a refreshing day out. www.denmanwineandfood.com
Merriwa’s Festival of the Fleeces June, 2010 A celebration of the town’s historic association with the Australian Wool Industry held annually each June. The events main attraction is the running of sheep in red socks down the main street of Merriwa and a festival parade. There’s entertainment for the whole family including sheepdog trials, shearing demonstrations, market stalls, horseshoe demonstrations and whip cracking.
Aberdeen Highland Games July 2010 First Saturday in July each year Held the first Saturday in July, this festival celebrates the Scottish heritage and traditions of the first founders of Aberdeen, the day encompasses a street parade with pipe bands,  tournaments and competitions including jousting, tartan warriors, tug - o - war, haggis haul, egg throwing, kilted dash, three legged race, highland dress competitions and concludes with a Ceilidh evening featuring Scottish cuisine, beverages and music. Visit our website www.aberdeenhighlandgames.com
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Charity Horse Ride September 2010 Bring the family and your horse to Denman on the first Saturday of September to participate in a great fund raising event to help the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Hosted at the Denman Pony Club grounds, the day begins at 8.00am with a 20-25km horse ride with the rest of the day filled with auctions, live entertainment and refreshments. Breakfast, morning tea and lunch available.
Muswellbrook Carnivale in Spring August to November 2010 Muswellbrook Carnivale is held from August to November each year and encompasses street parades, market stalls, campdraft and rodeos, country bush dances, theatre, fireworks displays and the very popular Muswellbrook Cup and Ladies Day at Muswellbrook Race Park held in conjunction with Melbourne Cup day. For a program of events, contact Muswellbrook Visitor Information Centre on 02 6541 4050 or visit www.muswellbrook.org.au