If you love rock ‘n’ roll, the 50s and 60s era and oranges, Bingara is the place to be on July 1 as the village hosts its annual Regional Australia Bank Orange Festival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
‘Happy Days’ will be the 2017 theme, celebrating the nostalgia and music of the 50s and 60s.
Along with retro stalls, a fashion parade, car displays, rock ‘n’ roll music and dance demonstrations, screening of Happy Days will take place in the historic Roxy Theatre.
To prepare for the retro theme, community members have brushed up on their rock ‘n’ roll dance moves with instructor Marcia Summers.
As a committee member of the Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Council, Marcia put her knowledge into practice teaching beginners to more experienced jivers.
“The classes were more about having fun and getting into the spirit of the festival,” she said.
As first-time sponsors Regional Australia Bank Inverell branch manager Alex Ribeiro said it was a delight to be part of the special day.
“We are proud to be part of such a vibrant festival that brings together the community and in particular a festival that all ages can enjoy and be involved in.”
Children of Bingara will start festivities on Friday, June 30 with the annual harvest of the village’s orange trees.
Later that night, Bingara Fitness Centre will pump up the festival part with a screening of the iconic 50s movie Grease equip with hot dogs and Coca Cola floats.
All proceeds raised on the night will assist in the upkeep and maintenance of Bingara’s gym facility.
On Saturday morning street stalls will open and entertainment will flow throughout the main street of Bingara.
Locals have been preparing 50s and 60s inspired floats for the annual street parade.
“The street parade is always a highlight of the festival and we hope to make it bigger and better each year,” Bingara special events committee chair Catherine Egan said.
Festival organisers are looking forward to seeing plenty of Elvis and Fonzie impersonators as well as characters from Grease, hot rods and rock ‘n’ roll dancers.
People from surrounding towns such as Moree and Inverell are invited to attend the lively festival and enjoy all that Bingara has to offer.
Last year Bingara turned into a Greek city and saw the largest crowd on record turn out for the well-known event.
People travelled from as far as Nowra on the South Coast up to Brisbane. Costa Georgiadis, Australia’s favourite Greek, even attended.
