Griffith Show Society volunteer Walter McMaster is excited the 100th show is finally upon us. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A long weekend in the middle of the school holidays is a sweet spot for families, and there’s plenty to do as spring warms up the Riverina.
It’s a big time for milestones as the Griffith Show celebrates its 100th event and the Uranquinty Folk Festival its 50th. The Culcairn Agricultural Show is also on the agenda, as well as Gears and Beers, a unique Wagga event that combines cycling and craft beers.
The horse racing season is now in full swing with the Wagga Wagga Amateur Picnic Races on Sunday. Street Scapes in Griffith will be winding up this weekend, while the classic Bernard Shaw play Mrs Warren’s Profession can be seen in Wagga on both Saturday and Sunday.
A number of events are making their comeback this weekend after being scuppered by Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021. Event organisers will be holding their breath and hoping the rain holds off until Tuesday.
All Weekend
Uranquinty Folk Festival preparations are underway. Photo: Facebook.
50th Annual Uranquinty Folk Festival
When: Friday 30 September from 6 pm, Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 October 9 am to 11:30 pm, Monday 3 October from 10 am
Where: Uranquinty Sportground, King St, Uranquinty
Cost: Full weekend $75, full weekend concession $60, day $45, session dances $15, kids and camping free, payable upon entry.
Formed in 1970 by the Wagga Wagga Folk Society, the Uranquinty Folk Festival is one of Australia’s oldest folk festivals. After two years of COVID-induced cancellations, the festival is finally in its 50th year. Expect a campfire, pub sessions, workshops, dances and blackboards.
The Quinty Hotel will be reopened in time for the Festival. The new publican is Luke Tooze, a musician who has performed at Tamar Valley and Yackandandah Festivals. There will be other performers at the hotel and also the nearby oval, where new and unknown artists are welcome to perform.
Gears and Beers festival combines cycling and beer. Photo: Facebook.
Gears and Beers festival
When: Saturday 1 October and Sunday 2 October
Where: Cycling kicks off at various locations, craft beer festival at Victoria Memorial Garden, cnr Baylis and Morrow sts, Wagga
Cost: Course entry costs vary, beer festival entry for adults $20, kids (under 18) $5, registered riders free, payable upon entry.
Combining cycling and craft beer drinking this weekend event offers rides catering for all age groups, distances, energy levels and cycling levels. This includes the flagship ride, the Dirty130 – 130 km of road, gravel, farms, golden couches, dead camel lane and more gravel.
All roads lead to the craft beer festival on Sunday from 11 am at the Victoria Memorial Gardens. It features craft beers and ciders, locally roasted coffee, local food and live entertainment. Run by the Rotary Club of Wollundry Wagga Wagga, all event proceeds go to charity.
Mrs Warren’s Profession illustrates Shaw’s belief that the act of prostitution was not caused by moral failure but by economic necessity. Photo: Facebook.
Mrs Warren’s Profession
When: Saturday 1 October at 3 pm and 7:30 pm, Sunday 2 October at 3 pm
Where: Basement Theatre, Morrow Street, Wagga
Cost: Adults $30, concession $25, students $20, book here.
The Wagga Wagga School of Arts Community presents a classic George Bernard Shaw play written in 1893, dealing with financial independence, equality for women and valuing women’s abilities. The play is about a former prostitute, now a madam, who attempts to come to terms with her disapproving daughter. It is a problem play, offering social commentary to illustrate Shaw’s belief that the act of prostitution was not caused by moral failure but by economic necessity. This is one event that won’t be spoiled by rain.
After the success of Street Scapes 2021, the council decided to reboot it in 2022. Photo: Griffith City Council.
Street Scapes Griffith
When: Until 7 October
Where: Memorial Park, 363 Banna Ave, Griffith
Cost: Free.
It’s not too late to enjoy Street Scapes – a six-week period where Griffith City Council hosts events and activities and puts up designs in public spaces. Specially fitted outdoor seating, a temporary container kiosk with a pop-up café serving burgers and alcohol, outdoor markets and plantings bring the space to life, encouraging residents to enjoy the outdoors in spring.
Saturday
Horse events are popular at the Culcairn show. Photo: Facebook.
Culcairn Agricultural Show
When: Saturday 1 October
Where: Culcairn Showgrounds, Federal Street, Culcairn
Cost: Adults $10, pensioners $5, teenagers $5 and children under 12 free, payable upon entry.
The Culcairn Agricultural Show is hoping to make a comeback after a COVID-enforced hiatus, so organisers are crossing their fingers the rain stays away. Activities for show day include the junior showgirl and show boy announcements, sport group activities, displays, horse events, a demonstration wood chop competition, shearing competition, a school art competition and so much more. Keep an eye on the Culcairn Agricultural Show Facebook page for updates on whether it will go ahead this year.
Murrumbidgee Turf Club. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga Wagga Amateur Picnic Races
When: Saturday 1 October 12 pm to 9 pm
Where: Murrumbidgee Turf Club, 142 Travers Street, Wagga
Cost: Adult $25, child (12-17 years) $15, picnic table of five $75, picnic table of eight $120, charity club tickets $330, marquee area $450, book here.
This is one of Wagga’s biggest racing events, featuring amateur and professional races. A local and metropolitan betting ring is available for racing enthusiasts, along with entertainment, food, drinks and a Fashions on the Field event. Proceeds from the day will go towards Country Hope, which provides family-centred support services to country children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Sunday
Kerrie Grill and Zoi McMaster want to make the 100th Griffith show the best ever. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
100th annual Griffith Show
When: Sunday 2 October, 8:30 am to 9 pm
Where: Griffith Showground, 18 – 22 Walla Ave, Griffith
Cost: Adults $10, children $5, book here.
The 100th annual Griffith Agricultural Show is expected to be the biggest ever. This year, show organisers have secured the services of Aussie FMX, a freestyle motocross production that performs a range of daredevil stunts, and Will Sanchez, a professional breakdancer from New York. As always, there will be a heap of competitions, such as the cutest pet and scruffiest dog. People can just bring their pets in and enter on the day. This show has also gone digital for the first time – you can enter competitions online.
Bonsai by the Bidgee Beach is this Sunday. Photo: Supplied.
Bonsai by the Bidgee Beach
When: Sunday 2 October, 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: Wagga Beach, Johnston St, Wagga
Cost: Adults $10, children $5.
Organisers call this an afternoon of relaxing by the Murrumbidgee River while tending to bonsais or observing the mindful practice. An informal gathering for anyone interested in growing bonsai, all are invited to come with a table, chair and their own tree to work on. All abilities are welcome, members and non-members alike.
Don’t miss T. Lopea live this Sunday at The Curious Rabbit. Photo: Visit Wagga.
T. Lopea Live at The Curious Rabbit
When: Sunday 2 October, 3 pm to 5 pm
Where: The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St, Wagga
Cost: $25, book here
The band T. Lopea will perform in Wagga as part of their new album tour. T. Lopea recently released their debut alt-rock EP International Man of Mystique (IMOM). Like its creator, IMOM is a cool, quirky tour de force with a dash of sparkle on top. Not Me, the second single from IMOM, demonstrates a palpable New York Punk influence with the ceaseless backbeat. Don’t miss them live at the Curious Rabbit, Wagga’s contemporary art gallery exhibiting an ever-changing range of works by emerging and established local artists.
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