Saturday, 17th February 2024 will be the 160th anniversary of the birthday of AB ‘Banjo Paterson’ and this year’s Banjo Paterson Festival, in and around the Orange Region, in central NSW will be a special celebratory event.
The 2024 Banjo Paterson Festival opening event, will be Banjo’s Birthday Party at the Banjo Paterson Park on Saturday 17 February. This fun free event, incorporating a car rally and historical quiz challenge has all the hallmarks of a special birthday celebration.
The opening evening event of the festival is the famed, Molong Poetry Brawl, where poetry enthusiasts and amateurs join in the fun and challenge of delivering a one-minute only original poem including a secret phrase on spec, judged by special guest, award winning bush poet Robyn Sykes.
The Banjo Paterson Festival, established in 2014 for 150th anniversary of his birthday, spans nine days, 17-25 February, and is host to an enticing and intriguing program of events celebrating the life, times and work of Banjo Paterson, Australian literature, and bush poetry.
Best known as a poet and storyteller, Banjo Paterson is lessor known as a solicitor, war correspondent, newspaper editor, soldier, sports commentator, and farmer. He grew up at Buckinbar, a property close by at Yeoval, home of the renowned Banjo Paterson More Than a Poet Museum and Clancy’s Café. Some of the Banjo Paterson Festival highlights include:
• Open Mic Brunch at Yeoval’s Banjo Paterson – more than a poet Museum
• Train trip to lunch at “The Ironbark Hotel” Stuart Town
• Wrath of Grapes in the barrel shed at Heifer Station Wines, Orange
• Memory Workshops for improving recall of bush poetry, prose, song lyrics and scripts
• Conversations with Banjo at the Cobb & Co Coach House in Molong.
• Youth and adult poetry competitions, food, wine and entertainment with seasoned bush poets in Cargo and Orange
• Festival dinner and entertainment at Canowindra
• Rotary Community Market Day
• Music and Wine at Sundown at Strawhouse Wines
• Woolshed History Muster at the Historic Boree Cabonne Woolshed.
Discover the full spectrum of events and experiences at the 2024 Banjo Paterson Festival by visiting orange360.com.au