Spend your weekend with Banjo!

The Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival is in full swing around Orange!

An iconic Australian writer, Banjo’s poetry is known world-wide and there is no more fitting place to celebrate his life and work than in the district he was born.

The festival kicked off last Friday but there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved, whether you fancy a little reciting yourself or just want to take in one of the many festival attractions over this weekend.

The Banjo Paterson Night Markets in Robertson Park on Friday evening are a signature event of the festival. There will be more than 30 local food and wine stallholders and with great weather forecast, it has the makings for a perfect summer evening filled with music and poetry in the park. A great event for all the family!

Following the night markets, the poetry moves to the Lord Anson with the Banjo Poetry Brawl.

Entrants in this light-hearted competition must read or perform an original, 60-second poem in any genre, whether it be bush, slam, rhyming or non-rhyming. The only requirement is that either ‘Banjo’ or ‘Orange’ must appear somewhere in the poem. There is no entry fee and you can enter on the night. The winner will judged by audience applause.

On Saturday, the Orange Ex-Services Club will host the 2019 Banjo Paterson Poetry Competition.

Run by the Rotary Club of Orange, the competition will feature individual performances of original poetry from school students, novices and experienced poets

You can catch the school children performing from 10am – 12.30pm, and the Mayoral challenge, novices and open competitors between 1.30pm and 5pm.

On Saturday evening its Molong’s time to shine at the Banjo Paterson Festival Dinner.

Held on the Village Green, Molong, there’s a complimentary wine on arrival, 3 course dinner by Eugowra Eat Your Greens and music and dancing provided by the Cecelia Rochelli and Trouble With

Johnny Band. This is a ticketed event ($119.45pp), visit www.orange360.com.au for more details.

On Sunday morning, the Emmaville Cottage Family Market Day will feature craft and produce, kids’ activities, local entertainment and an open microphone for poetry recitals.

It’s a great chance to visit the Emmaville Cottage and soak up the history, take a stroll through the Botanic Gardens or picnic with the kids at the Adventure Playground.

Visit www.orange360.com.au for the full program of Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival activities.