Bingara Happy Days Orange Festival: there'll be something for everyone

After COVID-19 restrictions saw the 2020 festival cancelled, the committee can't wait to bring this year's festival to the community and invites people back to Bingara to help celebrate all that the festival signifies.

The Orange Picking Ceremony is set to take place on Friday, June 25.

The local children have been guarding the trees in the lead up to the annual harvest to ensure the oranges are ripe for the picking.

Friday evening there will be a screening of Mamma Mia at the Roxy Theatre, where visitors are being encouraged to dress up and join in the singing and dancing in the aisles.

Saturday June 26 will see the Orange Festival take over the main street of Bingara, where there will be something for everyone.

The Zephyr Project, a retro-inspired band will be providing a variety of different tunes from the golden era including jump blues, rockabilly, swing and rock and roll.

There will also be a variety of market stalls, bubble gum blowing competitions, hula hoop competitions, vintage car displays, musical performances and, the grand finale, the festival parade.

The Happy Days Orange Festival was introduced in 1998 and has grown significantly since its humble beginnings.

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The festival was initially introduced as an extension of the Orange Picking Ceremony, a tradition that marked 60 years in 2020.

This year the event received Federal funding through the Department of Veterans' Affairs via the Saluting Their Services Commemorations program. The funds will help the Special Events Committee with the running costs of the festival.

Read More: A history of the Bingara Orange Festival

Marketing and Tourism Team Leader Casey McClymont said 2020 would have been the 60th Anniversary of Orange Picking in Bingara however, like many events last year was cancelled due to COVID-19.

"We missed the 60th Anniversary of our beloved Orange Picking last year, a tradition that signifies so much to so many, so we want to make this year's event a 'do over' of the 60th anniversary," Miss McClymont said.

See the photos from 2019 here.

"2021 will also be the 23rd Anniversary of the Orange Festival, a festival that was born from our Orange Picking harvest that Bingara residents, especially the children take such pride in.

"We would really like to take this year to remind people of the significance of the orange trees and the historical importance behind the festival itself."

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