Saturday – showground (these are denoted by a coloured green background)
Sunday closing event.
Friday night (6th June)
Opening Night (6pm Fri)
Starting at 6pm, Friday is the official opening night. In 2025 this event will be held at the Merriwa RSL. This is a ticketed event (tickets available soon). Opening night is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the festival. Expect live music, dancing, food, drinks and a great atmosphere.
Saturday (7th June) - ALL DAY events
Market Stalls (8am to 3pm Sat)
On Saturday the main street and surrounding area comes alive with rides, market stalls, street entertainers and much more
Quilt Exhibition and Sale (8am to 3pm Sat)
Quilters from the Hunter Valley (and beyond) will exhibit their creations at the School of Arts Hall. Entry is free but a gold coin donation is gratefully accepted.
Kid’s Amusement Rides (8am to 3pm Sat)
Bring the kids along for free rides on the merry go round, large dual lane slide, the cactus saloon obstacle, the crayon jumping castle, and laughing clowns. Grab a coffee while the kids enjoy the rides.
Thomas the Trackless Train (8am to 3pm Sat)
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!
Pennies Petting Zoo (8am to 3pm Sat)
Penny’s Ponies and Pets is just what the kids need to get up close and personal with all creatures great and small.
Dinosaurs, snakes, fossils and more (8am to 3pm Sat)
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.
Sheep Dog Demonstrations (8am to 3pm Sat)
These intermittent demonstrations will help you understand what the trainer and dog are doing when the hard work begins. You’ll have time to ask questions and you may even get an insight into your own “four-legged mate” and realise what makes them tick.
Shearing Demonstrations (8am to 3pm Sat)
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!
Window Displays (8am to 3pm Sat)
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.
City of Maitland Pipe and Drums (10am to 2pm Sat)
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.
Vintage Car Display – At the Showgrounds (10am to 2pm)
The Vintage Car Display will be at the Showgrounds from 10am to 2pm.
Saturday (7th June) - SCHEDULED events
Merriwa Physie Group (Sat)
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.
Fairy La La Land (10AM, 2PM and 4PM* Sat)
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 Showgrounds.
Grand Parade (and Running of the Sheep) (12noon Sat)
The grand parade makes its way along Bettington Street, led by the famous running of the sheep.
Face Painting (between Fairy La La Land Shows Sat)
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).
Face painting is available between Fairy La La Land shows.
Dog High Jump (1pm Sat)
The Dog High Jump is sure to entertain. Don’t miss this event to see the heights that can be reached!
Music by Kyda (approx 5pm start Sat)
When the sun sets the Showgrounds starts rocking. The after-dark entertainment gets cracking.
Lolly Scramble – At the Showgrounds (approx 3pm Sat)
When the lollies start to fly, the kids are right behind. Let the moment of mayhem prevail and the dental bills build up. As many lollies as the kids can collect, they can eat!
Whip Cracking – At the Showgrounds (approx 4pm Sat)
There’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.
Fireworks – At the Showgrounds approx 7pm Sat
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.
Sunday (8th June) - closing event
Woolshed Tour (8am to 12.30pm Sun)
The festival committee is currently working on a woolshed tour for Sunday morning. Please call back soon for more details.