Many local people feature on the Gold Fest program local band ‘Threefold Arts’ and  Stephen Ryder, Denis Burns and David Walker will be showing off their private artefact collections including bottles, pistols, coins and much more. Geoff McClelland will be holding a guided tour called ‘Scandal and Seduction’ from 10am at the Albion Hotel.

This year there will be a display of vintage trucks, cars and engines in Forbes Street courtesy of the local clubs. In addition the Grenfell Museum and Wallangreen Sculpture Garden will be open for the public and markets stalls selling food and drinks will be on offer. 

There are now more opportunities for people to participate in the day; whether it’s cracking a stock whip, panning for gold or turning your hand at being a wheelwright. There will be a saddler, wheelwright, pin striping, bodger who makes bush furniture, stock whip maker, blacksmithing, millinery, lace making and gold panning where real gold nuggets will be found.

There will be a back to back demonstration where a sheep will be blade shorn, the wool spun into yarn and then knitted into a garment all in one day. The two re-enactments will be highlights of the day.

Come dressed in costumes from the 1860’s to go in the draw to win in the period costume competition. Four classes are planned: Young Master/ Young Miss (for children) with $100 and a certificate to the winner, Young Lady for all women ($100 and certificate), Young Gentlemen for all men ($100 and certificate) and Vintage Couple for two people with $200 and a certificate for the winner. 

The Grenfell Art Gallery has a gold themed photography exhibition featuring the Holtermann collection of the Gulgong Gold Mine in the 1800’s. In addition there are modern gold mining photos by Steven Cavanagh. 

The damper bake off will be held at 12.40pm in Main Street.

All local service clubs are encouraged to participate. The club producing the top damper will retain the Grenfell Gold Fest Damper Bake Off perpetual trophy.

Will CWA win for a second year in a row, or is there another local organisation up for the challenge?

Historic talks by Peter Bradley and Craig Bratby in the library will cover Ben Hall and John Vane. Peter’s talks at 11am and 12 noon will be on ‘Oral history and Bushrangers’ and ‘There are no absolutes in History’, and Craig’s talks at  10am and 1pm will be on ‘John Vane's Weddin Connection’ and ‘Return to 1863 Through Images.’ Historic Iandra Castle at Greenethorpe will be open from 10am to 4pm on Sunday September 28th.

For more information on the Gold Fest or for a program ring 6343 2855 or visit the website www.grenfell.org.au/goldfest