Tara Festival Program - 2-4 August 2024 by Vink Publishing

TARA F E STIVAL

2-4 aug

2024

CULTURE • CA M E L PING

Saturday night sponsored by

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST CAMEL PARTY!

MINISTERIAL WELCOME

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races which highlights the personality and uniqueness of Queensland Country.

The Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races is supported by the Queensland Government through Round 26 of Tourism and Events Queensland’s Queensland Destination Events Program, which strives to highlight the vital link between the wonderful events we host in our great state and the diverse destinations in which they take place.

Events such as the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races foster community pride, impart local culture with all who visit and make meaningful contributions to the local economy.

Beyond Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races there is so much to see, do and experience in Queensland Country. I encourage all visitors from far and wide to soak in all the delights of Queensland Country and make the most of all the experiences unique to this special part of Queensland.

Congratulations to the organisers plus all those involved in working tirelessly to stage such a great event and for being part of the Queensland Destination Events Program.

Minister for Tourism and Sport, The Hon. Michael Healy MP

MAYORAL WELCOME

Welcome to the Western Downs for another fantastic Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races!

Here in the Western Downs, it’s the people that make it, and I’d like to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of the committee of volunteers and congratulate them on putting together another fantastic event.

The Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races is a special event and an undeniable and iconic figure on the Queensland tourism calendar. The Festival is so incredibly popular and highly anticipated that it sees the town’s population grow 5-fold for the festival weekend!

The opportunity for so many visitors to experience the great town of Tara and surrounds is absolutely wonderful, and is due to the long-term dedication of the festival committee, and the support of locals who make our region such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

There is so much to see and experience on the Western Downs! Be sure to explore and we hope to see you back for another of our exciting events, the Big Skies Festival at Jimbour House this October.

We look forward to sharing our vibrant community, fantastic events and exciting tourism attractions with you.

Cr Andrew Smith Mayor, Western Downs Regional Council

WELCOME TO TARA!

A little country town on the Sunset Way Drive in Queensland’s Western Downs.

Wow, here we go again! How fast does 2 years go…

On behalf of myself and our committee of volunteers, we are so excited to welcome you with open arms as you join us for an amazing weekend, full of camel racing, festival culture, live music and much, much more.

We can’t wait to see you all, so let’s get this party started.

Kerry Kelly – President of Tara Festival Committee.

FESTIVAL STORE & INFORMATION

Come talk to a local and get your festival questions answered and grab some festival merchandise.

OPEN AT THE TARA FOOTBALL FIELD:

10am – 3pm Wednesday and Thursday 10:30am – 3pm Friday

OPEN INSIDE THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS

(Marked on the festival map): Festival hours Saturday and Sunday.

COURTESY SHUTTLE BUS

BUS TO MAIN STREET: Departs from near front festival entertainment entry gate and operating continuously from 8am to 5pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

WITHIN FESTIVAL CAMPGROUNDS: Catch a ride to the entertainment entry gates 4pm to 11 pm Friday, 8am to midnight Saturday and 8am to midday Sunday. Bus stops are signed.

All program guide information and schedules are subject to change without notice.

CONTACT US

Tara Festival Inc.

PO Box 55, Tara OLD 4421

Email: tara.festival@outook.com

Ph: 0491 313 159

Message us via Facebook or come see us during the festival at the Festival Store.

GET SOCIAL

We’d love to see your festival photos. Share them with us by tagging @tarafestival and #tarafestival, #qldcountry and #thisisqueensland

FESTIVAL CAMPING

Open: 8am Wednesday 31 July to Monday 5 August 2024.

Rubbish: All rubbish is to be removed from the campgrounds. Skip bins will be placed throughout the campgrounds for your convenience.

Water: Taps located across the grounds offer potable water, but please no ‘hook ups’.

Waste water to be run under your van/camper.

Dump Point: Find a dump point at the Tara Lagoon next door to the festival. Many people are using this facility, so also consider if you can dump at your next stop.

Dogs: Well behaved dogs are welcome at your campsite, and restrained at all times. Please keep them on a leash, away from the camels and racetrack and be aware that pets are not permitted within the festival grounds.

Fires: Campers are permitted to have a campfire in a suitable above-ground fire pit or bucket (self-contained fire container) on their campsites ONLY. No fires are to be lit on the ground. ALL campers are to ensure

that all coals, remaining wood, ash and debris are taken to the ash collection point at the campground entrance as you are leaving. Fire debris is to be clear of glass and tins.

Firewood: Kevin is our local firewood fella. Wood on sale from 10am Wednesday.

Bags: $20.

Fire lighting Kit (chips, firelighters & matches): $5.

EFTPOS available.

Hail Kevin when he does a few rounds of camping areas throughout the day, or find him set up here at the Showgrounds in front of the caretakers house (at the end of the main entrance driveway).

Power/Generators: All sites are unpowered. Generators are permitted 8am to 7pm. There will be a charging station for phones inside the festival Saturday and Sunday during festival hours

Food: Food vendors will be open in the Polocrosse and Racetrack camping areas from Wednesday onwards serving coffee, breakfast and other meals.

PRE-FESTIVAL EVENTS

TARA CEMETERY WALK

WEDNESDAY 31 JULY, THURSDAY 1 AUG & FRIDAY 2 AUG

Learn more about Tara’s past and characters with our FREE guided half-hour Tara Cemetery Walk. Your guide will be past Tara Festival President and 5th generation Tara Resident, Linda Petersen who has been working over the years on researching and documenting the history of Tara’s Cemetery up until 1960.

Dogs are welcome to join on a lead. BYO chair if you wish to take a seat.

Tara Cemetery is located across the road from the Campgrounds on the ChinchillaTara Road.

Cost: FREE

BAREFOOT BOWLS

THURSDAY 1 AUG / 12pm

Enjoy a game of Barefoot Bowls at 1pm on Thursday. From the festival campgrounds it’s just a stroll across the lagoon, 500m to reach the Tara Bowls Club. No bowls or bowling experience is necessary. BBQ lunch and bar available.

Cost: $10 per player. Includes lunch. Please Pre-book bowling: 0437 735 919

GOLF AT THE GUMS

FRIDAY 2 AUG / 12pm

Play on one of Queensland’s toughest sand green courses at The Gums Sports Club.

Golfing Cost: $10 per player. Clubs available for hire. Beverages available on course.

Bus departing festival grounds at 11:00am, $15 pp for bus (or 25km drive). To book bus, call Jim on 0407 650 506.

20 seats available, first in, best dressed.

FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT

ZAC AND GEORGE

7:30pm - 8:30pm Saturday, Origin Stage

Meet Zac & George, two best mates from school who are on a mission to bring their country-inspired harmonies to the world stage. The Boys offer a blend of downto-earth charm and a mischievous sense of humour. With each hit being written to capture life’s experiences and heartfelt emotions, wrapped up in their unique harmonies, The Boys are bringing a new perspective to Australian country music.

DEE JAYE BUX

8:30pm - 9:00pm Saturday, Origin Stage 10:30pm - midnight Saturday, QGC Stage

End your Saturday night on the dancefloor with Australia’s Best Country Music DJ, Dee Jaye Bux!

LEE KERNAGHAN

9:00pm - 10:30pm Saturday, Origin Stage

Lee Kernaghan is Australia’s most loved country music identity and an outback icon.

Songs like The Outback Club, Boys From The Bush, Hat Town, She’s My Ute and Australian Boy are now modern day anthems for a generation of Australian’s living and working on the land.

2022 marked the 30th anniversary of the release of Lee’s classic debut album The Outback Club. Lee has achieved a staggering 40 #1 chart hit songs over his career and has been

MURPHY’S PIGS

5:00pm - 6:00pm Saturday, QGC Stage 11:00am - 12:00pm Sunday, QGC Stage

A big band, a big sound and nearly an acre of suit fabric. This is the awardwinning, Celtic-Rock Big Band will take you on a musical journey with boisterous chorus songs and lilting ballads.

FRIDAY 2ND AUGUST – PROGRAM

9.00AM TARA BOOK WEEK PARADE

See the local school children dressed in costume and parading down the main street of Tara for all the visitors who have come to town. Come join us to give them their biggest ever audience!

9:00AM - 12NOON MARKETS IN THE MAIN STREET

5:00PM FESTIVAL GATES OPEN!

Time

5:30pm Aussie Wildfire Show Origin Stage

6:45pm Western Downs Civil Fireworks Display Trackside

QGC Stage

10:00pm Festival close

LIVE MUSIC

7:00pm Full Face Helmet

Program may be subject to change

SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST – PROGRAM

TIME QGC STAGE ORIGIN STAGE

9:00am Latin Mafia Trio

9:30am Alvin Rostant Babash Band Gundamena Warra 10:00am

10:30am Lazy Leis Cubico Kids Zone: 10:30am & 3:30pm Dinolarious Puppet Show 11:00am

11:30am Latin Drummers Bollywood Show

12:00pm Gundamena Warra

12:30pm

Cubico Kids Zone: 12pm & 4:30pm Dillos Dance Time

1:00pm 12:45pm - 1:30pm Official Opening - QGC Stage

1:30pm Polynesian Latin Mafia Trio

2:30pm Latin Drummers

3:00pm

2:00pm Bollywood Show Roving entertainment all weekend with Memphis Moovers Duo, stilt walkers, latin drummers + MORE!

3:30pm Lazy Leis Polynesian

4:00pm 4:30pm

5:00pm Murphy’s Pigs

5:30pm

6:00pm Trent Richardson Live show PLUS Meet & Greet!

6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm Zac & George 7:30pm - 8:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm Dee Jaye Bux 8:30pm - 9pm 9:00pm Lee Kernaghan 9pm - 10:30pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:30pm Dee Jaye Bux 10:30pm - Midnight

FESTIVAL GATES OPEN 8AM

*Outback Stockman Demonstrations - Access to the Inside Racetrack via the festival exit gate near the Origin Stage, then follow to walk around inside the racecourse.

FASHIONS ON THE FIELD

STANDOUT CULTURAL & FESTIVAL FUN! Registration: 9am - 11:30am Northside of Bar. Judging at Grandstands

First round: 12pm Second Round: 1:30pm

SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST – PROGRAM

TIME QGC STAGE ORIGIN STAGE

7:30am Church Service

8:00am Poets Breakfast Gary Fogarty

8:30am

9:00am Polynesian Latin Drummers

9:30am The Lazy Leis

10:00am Cubico Kids Zone 10:00am & 1pm Dinolarious Puppet Show

10:30am

11:00 am Murphy's Pigs Gundamena Warra

11:30am

12:00pm Cubico Kids Zone 12:00pm & 2:00pm Dillos Dance Time

12:30pm Tara Music Group Aussie Sing Along

1:00pm Bollywood Show

1:30pm Alvin Rostant Babash Band

2:00pm 2:30pm

Roving entertainment all weekend with Memphis Moovers Duo, stilt walkers, latin drummers + MORE!

FESTIVAL GATES OPEN 7AM

AROUND THE FESTIVAL

CUBICO KIDS ZONE

All the fun of our Cubico Kids Zone is free! Enjoy face painting, the petting zoo, pony rides, fun inflatables and shows from the Dinkum Dinosaurs.

Open: 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 2:30pm Sunday

HELICOPTER JOY FLIGHTS

From 9:30am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

The AS3350, also known as the ‘Squirrel’ takes 5 passengers at a time.

Cost: $80 per person for a 5 minute joy flight. No bookings required. EFTPOS available.

Flights operated by Precision Aerial with Executive Helicopters.

FESTIVAL MARKETS

Browse the festival markets from 9am –4:30pm Saturday and 9am – 2:30pm Sunday.

CAMEL RIDES

Richo the camel trainer from Yeppoon is racing camels here in Tara and he’s also brought some lovely quiet camels who will be saddled and offering $15 camel rides in front of the festival entrance from 9am –4pm Saturday and 9am – 2pm Sunday. Mini train rides also available for $5 per person.

CHAINSAW ART

Watch Matty G skilfully sculpt wood animals with his chansaws! At previous Tara Festivals we have watched with amazement as he carved two large camels, which are now on display in our main street! What will he make at Tara Festival 2024?

FASHIONS ON THE FIELD YABBY RACES

MUSIC &

INFORMATION & FESTIVAL STORE

FOOD OUTLET

BAR

KIDS ZONE

MARKET STALLS

TOILETS

DISABLED TOILETS

PARENTS ROOM SUNSCREEN STATION FIRST AID

WATER REFILL STATION

COURTESY BUS ATM CAMPING AREAS

PARKING SMOKING AREA

CHAINSAW CARVING CAMPOVEN COOKING

COUNTRY CORNER

CAMEL RACING PROGRAM

Camels who place 1st and 2nd in the heats go on to compete in the Cup Finals. Camels placed 3rd and 4th in each heat compete in the Semi Finals and all the other camels get a second run as they compete in the Consolation Finals.