Plan Your Weekend
There will be plenty to see and do and we are still confirming events so call back regularly.
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Fri
Opening Night (FREE ENTRY)
6PM Friday at the Merriwa RSL. The festival kicks off with our Opening Night at the Merriwa RSL. Live music, dancing, food, drinks and a great atmosphere. Food and drinks can be purchased on the night. Purchase a buffet dinner or order from the bistro menu (Chinese and Australian meals).
This is a FREE ticketed event (tickets are for numbers only). Entry will be available without a ticket but those holding a ticket will be given first entry. Book at Try Booking now. Don't miss out!
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Sat
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Sat
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Sat
Bush Sheep Dog Competition
8AM to 5PM Saturday (at the Showground). There is nothing that gives you bragging rights like winning the bush sheep dog competition. Straight out of the paddock and into the spotlight, these farmers and their working dogs put it all out there. Trails in the morning and early afternoon. Finals late afternoon.
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Sat
Amusement Rides
8AM to 3PM Saturday. Free rides thanks to our platinum sponsor Bengalla Mining Company! Don't miss the merry go round, large dual lane slide, the cactus saloon obstacle, the crayon jumping castle, and laughing clowns from the professionals at Kids Amusement. Grab a coffee while the kids enjoy the rides.
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Sat
A country fare at the CWA Hall
What better way to rest and recharge than with a piping hot cuppa (tea, coffee, cappuccino) at the CWA Hall? Refuel with toasted sandwiches, scones (complete with jam and cream ... or is it cream and jam???), cakes, slices, sandwiches, soup and more. Made with love by our lovely CWA ladies.
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Sat
Merriwa Physie Group
Physie (physical culture) fuses dance styles such as jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, aerobic dance and even yoga! Set to fun, upbeat, pop music, you will love the innovative choreography that showcases our local stars. See our local Merriwa Physie Group perform in the street on Saturday morning.
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Sat
Fairy La La Land Shows
10AM, 2PM and 4PM Saturday. This is mesmerising entertainment for the children from the famous Fairy La La Land! Magic, song, dance, puppetry and comedy.
The 10am and 2pm show are held in Apex Park, Vennacher St (just 20 metres from the main festivities).
The 4pm show will be held at the Showground.
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Sat
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Sat
Petting Zoo
Penny's Ponies and Pets is just what the kids need to get up close and personal with all creatures great and small.
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Sat
Face Painting
Fairy La La Land will be doing face painting for the children (of course mum or dad may want to wind back the years too).
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Sat
Snake Tails
From Australian Reptile Displays, our snake wrangler, Bob Withey, will put to bed a few myths, educate you on some venomous snakes, handle four of the world's deadliest snakes and teach you about first aid (and that's just the beginning). You'll also see a recently discovered inland python from Western Australia.
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Sat
Thomas the Trackless Train
8AM to 3PM Saturday. Thomas the Trackless Train - for any age (yes, mum and dad can ride too). Pay-on-the-day rides. Take a trip around the festival and enjoy a few minutes by "taking a load off your feet". Yes, Thomas the Trackless Train also bellows a little steam during the ride. The kids will love it!
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Sat
Dinosaurs, snakes, fossils and more
8AM to 3PM Saturday. Just Dream Productions brings a hands-on experience with reptiles and snakes you can touch! There's dinosaurs you can have your photo taken with and fossils you can dig for! Just Dream Productions will give you an experience you won't forget.
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Sat
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Sat
City of Maitland Pipes and Drums
The City of Maitland Pipes and Drums is a staple at the festival. Bringing up the rear of the parade, the band will break away and take up a position on the street to continue playing.
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Sat
Window Displays
Each year the shopfront businesses celebrate the Festival of the Fleeces by decorating their windows. But these are no ordinary window displays. This is a highly competitive time in Merriwa as the shopfront businesses vie for first prize in the Window Display Competition. Remember to check them out.
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Sat
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Sat
Shearing Demonstrations
What would a celebration of wool be without shearing demonstrations? See how things have been done from the old blade shearing to modern shearing sheds. A rarity indeed is the demonstration of the use of blade shears. Very few people are able to demonstrate shearing with the old blade shears!
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Sat
Sparkles the Clown (Face Painting)
Don't miss Sparkles the Clown (face painting) in Bettington St. Outside the CWA rooms, face painting isn't all you'll get from Sparkles so check it out!
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Sat
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Sat
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Sat
Whip Cracking Competition
READ MOREThere's some real talent in Merriwa but we're sure there's some competition out there. Cracking good prizes available. Step up to the plate when the announcement is made in the main arena. BYO whip if you have one and safety goggles supplied.
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Sat
BackTrack Boys and Their Best Friends
The Backtrack Boys will be doing a demonstration with their best "fur" friends. If you've ever wondered what it takes to "turn a life around", you'll see it with the Backtrack Boys. This demonstration with the boys and their dogs is not to be missed.
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Sat
Fireworks
A spectacular display of fireworks from Kaboom! This starts at the Showground when the sun goes down. What a great way to start closing out the day.
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Sun
Bush Brekky Show (FREE ENTRY)
8AM at the Merriwa RSL. Renowned bush poet Carol Heuchan is back with a show you don't want to miss. Breakfast, bush poetry and a wonderful bush ballad performer will bring the festival to a close this year on the Sunday morning.
While entry to this event is FREE, you can purchase a delicious buffet breakfast between 8am and 8.45am (before the fun begins). This is a FREE ticketed event (tickets are for numbers only). Entry will be available without a ticket but those holding a ticket will be given first entry. Numbers are limited. Book at Try Booking now. Don't miss out!
