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Gorgeous clear skies, rocking live music and short queues for famous pies greeted early visitors to Guyra’s annual Lamb and Potato Festival, which began Wednesday.
Visitor Vera, from Queensland’s Bribie Island, was one of many out-of-state visitors who stopped en route to Tamworth’s Country Music Festival.
“It’s our first time stopping here on the way to Tamworth,” she said over a dripping lamb and potato pie. “We won’t be going past without stopping again.”
Some, like the Bleechmore family, had come from even further away.
“We come from Melbourne, the food capital of Australia,” mother Kathryn Bleechmore said, “and we’re very impressed.”
“We can definitely recommend the potato bake.”
The bluesy voice of Ian Russell and eloquent guitar solos of Michael Bailey, together as the band Crooked Tree, drifted over the picnic tables and gazebos arranged along the New England Highway.
Meanwhile, Ron Lockyer’s voice could be heard on a P.A. system, announcing the imminent departure of train rides and helpfully suggesting that children needn’t bring their parents along – just the two dollar ticket price.
Young Sharnahleiah Bishop of Guyra was able to convince her uncle, Ron Bishop of Sydney, to accompany her on the train, and was heard pointing out cars, offering greetings to sheep and generally squealing with delight throughout the ride.
Mr Lockyer said he and fellow members of the Guyra Machinery Club had been running train rides at the Lamb and Potato Festival for the past eight years.
“The old Guyra station was recently repainted and revamped, so it’s nice to go down there and check it out,” he said.
Vendors of everything from hand-knitted teapot cozies to wooden toy trucks to cowboy hats showed their wares.
Among them was artist Elenore Binge, who had travelled down from Toomelah with Leroy Connors, of Tingha.
“This is my first time at the Lamb and Potato Festival, but it’s been fantastic so far,” Ms Binge said.
This is my first time at the Lamb and Potato Festival, but it’s been fantastic so far.
- Elenor Binge
Ms Binge showed off one work that depicted the Macintyre River linking Toomelah, Boggabilla and Inverell, with a few favourite fishing holes scattered along them.
“All secret spots though,” she grinned.
“I’m not giving anything away.”
Renata Semmens had travelled from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to sell soap made from goat’s milk, and couldn’t recall exactly how long she’d been coming to the festival.
“It’s nice and cool up here,” she said. “And it’s always great to catch up with old friends.”