Inclement weather throughout the 61^st annual Henry Lawson Festival long weekend did not deter thousands of visitors descending on the township of Grenfell to celebrate Henry’s big day.

The five day event began with the official opening of the Art & Porcelain exhibition on Thursday evening, June 7, where the competition winners were announced. A jam packed program then followed over the five day event with highlights being: official exhibitions such as the Photography, Art & Porcelain, Verse and Short Story, Festival Queens and the Cathy Wiegold Memorial Fun Run. Major attractions included the Friday night concert held in The Henry Lawson High School auditorium. This event continues to showcase exceptional talent from local groups and individuals.

The festival opening by special guest Alison Bell took place on Saturday on the Main Stage prior to the parade. Alison was accompanied by Terry Carroll who gave an Acknowledgement to Country, Grenfell Cadets who conducted the Flag Raising ceremony, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP, Belinda Day who performed the National Anthem, Festival Patrons Hilarie Lindsay MBE OAM and Judy Mitton as well as former patron Kath Smith OAM and shire/festival committee officials including Mayor Mark Liebich. This was followed later in the evening by the Awards Presentation Reception.

On Sunday you could barely move in lower Main Street with the annual Car Show in full swing. Also on Sunday the Henry Lawson High Schools’ ‘10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’ was a great success as was the first performance of Grenfell Dramatic Society’s Festival production ‘Australia Day’ which had the packed theatre in stitches.

Festival goers were treated to a number of other street performances, attractions and events, too many to list here, over the course of the weekend. All in all the 2018 festival has been hailed an enjoyable event and a credit to the organising committee.