2024 Banjo Paterson Festival 17 - 25 February 2024, Orange Region, NSW
160th Birthday celebrations open the 2024 Banjo Paterson Festival
Saturday 17 February 2024 will be the 160th anniversary of the birthday of AB ‘Banjo' Paterson so this year’s Banjo Paterson Festival, in and around the Orange Region, in central NSW will be a special celebratory event with Banjo’s Birthday Party as the opening event at Banjo Paterson Park. This fun free event, incorporating a car rally and historical quiz challenge has all the hallmarks to kick start the special birthday celebration.
The opening evening of the festival will see poetry enthusiasts and amateurs join in the fun and challenge of delivering a one-minute only original poem including a secret phrase on spec at the famed Molong Poetry Brawl.
The Banjo Paterson Festival established in 2014 for 150th anniversary of his birthday, spans nine days, 17-25 February, and is host to an enticing and intriguing program of events celebrating the life, times and work of Banjo Paterson, Australian literature, and bush poetry.
Best known as a poet and storyteller, Banjo Paterson is lessor known as a solicitor, war correspondent, newspaper editor, soldier, sports commentator, and farmer. He was born near Orange and grew up at Buckinbar, a property close by at Yeoval, home of the renowned Banjo Paterson More Than a Poet Museum and Clancy’s Café.
The Orange region has several key attractions that link us to the fascinating era of Banjo Paterson including Banjo Paterson Park and the Emmaville Cottage, which was conserved and relocated to the Orange Botanic Gardens in 2013.
Some of the Banjo Paterson Festival highlights
Open Mic Brunch at Yeoval’s Banjo Paterson – more than a poet Museum Train trip to lunch at “The Ironbark Hotel” Stuart Town Wrath of Grapes in the barrel shed at Heifer Station Wines, Orange Memory Workshops for improving recall of bush poetry, prose, song lyrics and scripts Conversations with Banjo at the Cobb & Co Coach House in Molong. Youth and adult poetry competitions, food, wine and entertainment with seasoned bush poets in Cargo and Orange Festival dinner and entertainment at Canowindra Rotary Community Market Day Music and Wine at Sundown at Strawhouse Wines Woolshed History Muster at the Historic Boree Cabonne Woolshed.
The Festival draws bush poets, literature enthusiasts, and appreciators of Australian history and complete novices from all over Australia to the Orange Region. It is a unique celebration, filled with spirited poetry competitions, music and art events, season and regional food and wine and enchanting stellar performances of bush poetry and energetic storytelling.
Amidst the festival, visitors explore the allure of the Orange Region with its many charming historic villages and towns that are host to Festival events. Take in breathtaking countryside, delectable food and wine, and picturesque outdoor walking tracks, parks, and gardens.
Australian poetry is alive and well and this unique regional NSW Festival provides something for every age group.
Discover the full spectrum of events and experiences at the 2024 Banjo Paterson Festival by visiting orange360.com.au/