It’s another busy week in the region beginning with the always popular Picnic Train journeying from Wagga to Uranquinty and back.
Temora’s calendar of culture called “DRENCH” brings a brick-a-thon to Town Hall, Jerilderie is throwing a full-blown fun fair and Wagga has its own music festival.
There’s a good old-fashioned rodeo, a vintage vehicle show, a “stripped back” circus like you’ve never seen before, plus more.
Here are our top nine picks.
All Weekend
The Picnic Train
When: Saturday 4 March, 9 am – 4 pm and Sunday 5 March, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Railway Station, Station Place, Turvey Park
Cost: Private compartment $155, family (four) $90, first class duo seating $85, book here
All aboard to experience the excitement of a steam train trip in former NSW Government Railways locomotive 5917. Harking back to its service, which commenced in March 1953, this locomotive will work hard as it snakes through the countryside to Uranquinty and back. Almost all types of seating come with a table so the Picnic Train can live up to its name – but hurry, as tickets are selling fast.
Brick-a-Thon
When: Saturday 4 March, 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday 5 March, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Temora Memorial Town Hall, 127-129 De Boos Street, Temora
Cost: Free, book here
Check out the custom-built LEGO models on display at Temora’s first ever Brick-a-thon, including Star Wars, architecture, cityscapes and more. Play tables will be set up for the kids to get creative and a LEGO shop will also be open for you to purchase kits on the day. Bookings are essential for this event, so avoid disappointment and reserve now. This event is part of Drench, a full calendar of events for people of all ages to reconnect through culture.
Saturday
Jerilderie Fun Fair
When: Saturday 4 March, from 4 pm
Where: Monash Park, Nowranie St, Jerilderie
Cost: Free
Thanks to the NSW Government, entry, family entertainment and activities for this event are all free. This includes a dusk outdoor cinema with popcorn and drinks, a mechanical bucking bull, rides, face painting, a skill zone soccer ring and live music. There will also be food vans, market stalls galore, a licensed bar, a paint and sip workshop, and crafts.
Flow Fest
When: Saturday 4 March, 12 pm – 10 pm
Where: Banks of Lake Albert at Bosley Park and Wagga Wagga Boat Club, Nelson Dr, Lake Albert
Cost: Adult $40, kids (13 to 17 years) $20, 12 years and under free, book here
Wagga’s very own music festival brings you 10 hours of live music on the edge of picturesque Lake Albert. Designed to showcase local talent, this year boasts a fresh new lineup from all over the Riverina and surrounds. It headlines Thunderstruck – The Australian AC/DC Show, 1987, The Madcoats, Mobes, Crooked Crows, Northbourne, Stripped Back, Reckless and RumbleTown!, with local talent such as BJ Vernal, Shaun Webb, Garry Salvestro, Kelvin Bailey, Gianni Cocilova, Robert Fattore, Daryl Day, Sean Daniell, Aaron Oldaker, Adam Urquhart, Tank Cassin and Riley Burgess. This family-friendly festival is a strictly no BYO alcohol event but food and beverages will be available for purchase on the day.
Lockhart Truck Show
When: Saturday 4 March, from 9 am
Where: Lockhart Showground, 111 Federal St, Lockhart
Cost: $5, payable upon entry (cash only)
Celebrate road transport past and present at this annual event with displays of historic and modern trucks, motorbikes and classic and vintage cars. There will be prizes for winners in a wide range of categories, live music, market stalls and food stalls including ice cream and Devonshire tea. Don’t miss the “Fashions through the Years” parade in the pavillion at 11 am. Overnight camping is available for a donation, with Sunday morning brekkie included.
Hay Pro Rodeo
When: Saturday 4 March, 3:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Where: Hay Showground, 75 Showground Rd, Hay
Cost: Families $60, adults $25, aged pensioners $10, school kids $5, payable upon entry
The Hay Rodeo turns 70 this year and organisers are ready to celebrate with a great afternoon and evening out for the whole family. With over $14,000 in prizemoney and an added buckle for each event, the competition will be fierce and the riding will be lively. Events include the bull ride, saddle bronc, steer ride, bareback, barrel racing, poly buck jump, team roping, steer wrestling, rope and tie, junior barrel, breakaway roping and junior steer. The main event kicks off at 6:30 pm. This event offers full catering and bar facilities; no BYO is permitted.
Top Town Chicken Races
When: Saturday 4 March, from 11:30 am
Where: Redman Oval, cnr Centenary Dr and Gilbert St, Wyalong,
Cost: Adult $10 prepurchased or $15 at the gate, under 16s free, book here
No need to wing it this weekend – the Wyalong Public School Parent and Community Association bring you this wholesome annual community event. A fun day out for the family, all the day’s proceeds are invested back into the school and community. Key attractions include the five-race program (with numerous ways for attendees to win prizemoney), children and adult farmer’s relays, a tug-of-war, barbecue, canteen and full bar facilities, a coffee cart and ice cream van.
Women in business Murrumbidgee networking event
When: Tuesday 7 March, from 6:30 pm
Where: Punt Hotel, 5 Punt Rd, Darlington Point
Cost: Free, book here
As part of International Women’s Week, this event will support and encourage women from diverse employment areas, offering the chance to network with fellow rural businesswomen from the Murrumbidgee region. A panel of guest speakers from diverse industries will cover current topics with practical, hands-on information to assist businesses in achieving their goals and personal development. The event is free to attend and there will be a free shuttle bus from Jerilderie and Coleambally.
On by Circa
When: Thursday 9 March, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Adult $65, concession and group (four or more) $60, youth under 25 $35, child under 15 $20, book here
Circa’s new show explores the gift of what lies at the heart of acrobatics – weight. The show is billed as a “stripped back” circus in which “the simple act of giving and accepting another’s mass is transformed into a profound meditation about beauty, loss and trust”. To achieve this, the stage elements are stripped back to the essentials: eight extraordinary acrobats, a beautiful musical score and striking lighting design, achieving yet another incredible production from this “artistically audacious” circus.