IF THE brightly coloured hay sculptures peppered across the Fassifern aren’t enough to remind you Kalbar Country Day is just around the corner then this is your invitation to join the fun on October 15.
Early risers at Country Day will be treated to a free bacon and egg roll breakfast and bush poetry from 7am to 8am. The meal is free for this hour only, and afterwards the poets move on to their stall where they will recite poetry for the remainder of the day.
The town’s main thoroughfare, George Street, will be cordoned off from 5am to 3pm, and dedicated to celebrating all things country.
“We have entertainment organised with Australian rock group Tumbleweed as well as the Boonah town band playing,” said event’s organiser Don Young.
“Kalbar School Rock Group will also play up the street on their stage.”
Mr Young is president of the Fassifern Lions Club, and it is this club that runs the event as a way of introducing country life to visitors, encouraging community cohesion and raising money for worthwhile causes.
On Kalbar Country Day, market stalls line the street offering homemade items, art and crafts, plants, toys, farm fresh fruit and vegetables as well as homemade delights like jams and fudge.
Mr Young said more than 10,000 people were expected to attend based on figures from previous years.
“There is also a carrot throwing competition which has a junior and senior division,” he said.
“Competitors throw their carrot towards a big tractor tyre to see who can get the closest.”
That’s the only ‘throwaway’ on the day as the town’s food outlets are stocked and ready for an influx of hungry visitors.
“The Lions Club run a burger, hot chips and cold drink stall and there are other stalls selling food like twirled potatoes and chicken wings,” he said.
“The club makes its money from stallholders, the raffles and food sales and this all goes back into the community.”
He said money raised went to help causes like childhood brain cancer research, as well as cerebral palsy.