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                                                                        

King of the Ranges 2th - 4th May 2008 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.
Scone & Upper Hunter Horse Festival 2th - 18th May 2008  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 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.
Merriwa’s Festival of the Fleeces 8th - 9th June 2008  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 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
Broke Village Fair Bring the family for a day out at the Broke Village Fair and Vintage Car Display held each September in McNamara Park. Over 300 Vintage cars and motorcycles from all over NSW will be on display as well as a showcase of local art, craft, woodwork and produce. There is entertainment to keep the kids amused and a variety of food and drink stalls to satisfy the hungry.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Charity Horse Ride 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 Spring Festival      www.muswellbrook.org.au/springcarnival The Spring Festival 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.
Singleton Mining and Industry Expo February 19-21st 2008 10am - 5pm at Singleton showground. The Singleton Mining and Industry Expo 2008, has something for everyone in every aspect of coal mining and coal mining technology, earthmoving and excavation, hydraulics, electrical generation and distribution, steel fabrication, engineering maintenance, OH&S, recruitment, training and so much more all in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Free Entry. Singleton Mining Expo     Countryfest (Australian Wife Carrying Titles) April 12th 2008 Come along from 10:00am to Countryfest at Singleton Showground and see the amazing Australian Wife Carrying Titles. The winning couple will receive a trip to Finland to compete at the WORLD Wife Carrying Titles. You dont have to be a married couple to enter, just as long as you bring your sense of fun. This year at Countryfest there is something for the whole family. The Professional Bull-Ride Rodeo will have everyone on the edge of their seats. See the grunt of the ute muster at 11:00am, the Australian Light-Horsemen will be on show with a ridden exhibition, and the big boys will be giving their all in a woodchop dispay. Enjoy some authentic bush poetry along with all the favourite fairground rides. This year a live broadcast of the Australian Wife Carrying Titles by the 2GB Continuous Call Team will entertain you with their hilarious antics from midday. Gates open from 9:00am to 11:00pm.   A Little Bit of Italy in Broke April 12th 2008 A themed weekend of Italian experiences - visit the cellar doors in the area and enjoy the hospitality of the tranquil side of the Hunter. With delicious food and fun games like bocce you can lose yourself in the taste of exclusive wines while sitting back and relaxing to the sounds of Italy. Broke Fordwich   Baerami Bush Dance April 19th 2008 Bush dance with traditional accoustic music at the wonderful Baerami Hall on the edge of the Wollemi National Park. Dances will be explained and you don't need a partner. BYO dinner and supper to share. Leisurely Sunday morning guided bushwalk or bike ride. Bookings appreciated. Baerami Bush Dance   Christmas In July @ Nightingale Wines July 12th 2008 Traditional Christmas Dinner set amongst the barrels in our winery with live entertainment and drinks included. There is bus pick up available in Singleton at 6.30pm. $85 per person Nightingale Wines   Hunter Olives Olive Oil and Table Olives Show September 6th 2008 The Olive Oil and table Olive show of the Hunter Valley with the award presentations on the 25th September. 9am - 5pm http://www.hunterolives.asn.au   Broke and Bulga Garden Ramble September 26th 2008 The annual luncheon and visit to local open gardens. Again this year there will be a featured guest speaker. http://www.brokefordwich.com.au 9.30am to 4pm   Budburst Dinner September 27th 2008 The Budburst Dinner is held in September to complete the spring activities and celebrate the beginings of a new grape growing season. http://www.brokefordwich.com.au/   Folk In Broke November 1 & 2 2008 11am - 11pm. A spectrum of folk music played by various artists throughout McNamara Park, Broke and locally around the Broke Village. A 2-day festival with some 8 stages, a workshop program, dance program, kids fest, multiple blackboard concerts, dedicated session venue/s, markets, and a feast of local and interstate artists. Enjoy a diverse mix of *World Music *Folk-Jazz *Blues 'n Roots *traditional australian folk *Jazz-Rock *celtic-rock *contemporary folk and a little indefinable genre fusing! Festival-goer's will be able to camp along the riverbank of the festival grounds or alternately source some of the excellent accommodation in the area to suit a variety of budgets. Festival Tickets are available at the gate.     Murrurundi Stampede 31 December 2007 Murrurundi's stampede, held at the Rodeo Grounds in December highlights the best of competition between the mad and the even madder. Contact G Kludas 02 6546 6036