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The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival – the ultimate family event – will explode into action at Corryong on April 2-5. Based on the Banjo Paterson legend of Jack Riley's famous ride, the festival features the $40,000 Challenge – the nation's toughest test of Australian bush and horse skills – as well as three days of markets, parades, gourmet food, art, music and entertainment. Festival co-ordinator Melinda Short says competitors' early interest in The Challenge indicates this year's field could be the strongest yet. "The winner of The Challenge is typically a quiet achiever whose riding ability and bush skills are amazing. It's a very humbling event to watch – it makes you understand how Banjo must have felt when he met Jack Riley," she says. The Challenge, which has a $15,000 first prize plus trophies, starts early Friday morning and the top 10, who will contest the final on Sunday, are announced on Saturday night. "It's a gruelling schedule but the event is designed to test every aspect of their bush skills from bronc riding and brumby catching to horse shoeing and saddling a pack horse," Ms Short says. For about 60 lucky people, the festival will start the Monday before with the Riley's Ride. This ride, which is often booked out a year in advance, starts at Tom Groggin Station, at the head of the Murray, and retraces Jack Riley's final journey which ended – for the dying stockman – near Surveyor's Creek. After exploring some of Australia's most spectacular high country, the party will arrive at Corryong on Friday in time for the RACV Street Parade at 3pm. One of the most popular attractions on Friday is the Re-enactment which starts at 11am in Thougla Rd. If you're travelling up to Corryong from Albury-Wodonga, allow an hour and a half to drive the picturesque route and to get yourself settled for this stirring event. A guest poet will give a heart-wrenching rendition of The Man From Snowy River while local bushmen will wheel brumbies to the crowd's delight. It's an absolute must to bring your camera. For those who love animals, there's plenty to keep you entertained. The Animal Wranglers – Barry Chambers and Lachie Cossor – will have their troupe of trick horses, mules, dogs and bullocks and will put on four performances over Saturday and Sunday. And if you want to barrack for the under dog, don't miss the action-packed "Foz" Dog Jump and its nail-biting finale at 4pm on Saturday. Foz was a Tom Groggin character. A stubborn but much loved dingo-cross who loved to jump – but mostly up into trees from the back of a ute. Ms Short says this year the bush festival aimed to further broaden its appeal and had become a smorgasbord of things to do. "On Saturday morning we have a Farmers Market and our new gourmet food and wine stalls from 9am to 3pm in Attree Park. There will also be a display of craft on sale in the main street from 9am to 4pm. And, if people need further retail therapy there will be plenty more Corryong shops and trade stands open," she says. The festival's art and photography exhibition, which starts on Friday from 9am, displays the work of talented artists which mostly features Australiana and bush themes. Poetry is always a big attraction at the festival with bush poets from all over Australia converging on Corryong for the weekend. There are numerous competitions including The Man From Snowy River Recital on Friday at 6pm followed by the Jack Riley Heritage Award. Most of the action takes place at Banjo's Block (corner Strezlecki Way and Donaldson St) and the Youth Hall. Ms Short said the entertainment will be non-stop from street buskers throughout the weekend, the Aussie Bush Idol contest on Saturday, and the cream of country music talent including Korey Livey. "We've also got a special country rock concert following the rodeo on Saturday night – the Tamworth Country Music Festival act Jetty Road, supported by Jane Denham," she says. If the Challenge inspires you and you didn't bring your own horse, pluck up some Dutch courage at the rec reserve bar on Friday night and try out the mechanical bucking bull. Great prizes are up for grabs for those who can last the eight seconds. According to Ms Short, Jack Riley didn't drive a ute but most stockmen and women worth their salt do so organisers thought it only appropriate to hold the Nissan Ute Muster, giving proud owners the chance to show off their wheels. The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival is a popular event which attracts thousands of people to Corryong each year. If you're looking for accommodation it is advisable to book ahead so phone Tickets and merchandise can also be organised well ahead of time with sales now available online at www.bushfestival.com.au For more information on the festival phone |
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