Canowindra, are you ready?
The countdown is on! The biggest week of the year kicks off this Saturday, April 26, as Canowindra welcomes balloonists, visitors, and locals to a celebration full of food, fun, and of course balloons.
Festivities launch with the Welcome to Canowindra Street Party, where the main street will close from 3pm to transform into a festival zone.
Things heat up from 5pm as the BBQ Masters fire up their grills in the first competition of the week.
For just $20, your entry includes your meat and a shot at great prizes. With a licensed bar and live music down town on the night, it’s worth signing up.
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Tickets and details are available now at 123tix.com.au
By the start of the week, 24 balloonists had already registered for the International Balloon Challenge, with campsites filling quickly and ticket sales going well.
According to Tom Beath, President of the Balloon Challenge and Progress Association, it’s just the beginning.
This week just continues to grow with more on the program each year – and it’s proving popular with showground camping already booked out.
Balloonists will take to the skies over Canowindra at 6am and 4pm each day, with their take-off location to be announced on the Balloon Challenge facebook page each morning once weather observations are made and daily tasks set.
“We’ve got a couple more balloon sites around town,” Mr Beath said, those including the showground, behind the shops in Gaskill Street, and the rodeo ground in South Canowindra depending on the wind direction.
Meanwhile organisers and community are working together to make Canowindra a destination for the week.
Rosnay Wines hosts Flickerfest on Sunday 27 April, with all information and dinner bookings through their website rosnay.com.au
There's a hot air balloon-themed paint and sip event at the Services Club from 6pm on Wednesday 30 April, register at Balloon HQ or find the event on facebook
Canowindra Garden Club is hosting an open garden at historic Noojee Lee, with the spectacular Paul Bangay designed garden open on Thursday 1 May.
You can find out more and book online through 123tix.com.au
Friday 2 May will be a night to remember as multi-Golden Guitar winner Casey Barnes headlines Home Ground Sounds at the Canowindra Sports Complex.
This Friday night concert was added to the program in 2024, Mr Beath said, and was so successful it’s back again.
With the high-energy Furnace and the Fundamentals, Big Night Out and rising country rock star Nathan Lamont on the program this promises to be another great night.
Get your tickets online through 123tix.com.au; there will be food stalls and a licensed bar on site or pre-order a grazing platter from Canowindra IGA deli.
Anticipation is of course building for the Cabonne community balloon glow next Saturday 3 May.
Visitors are urged to come early with live entertainment from 3pm and 122 market and food stalls booked in.
At 6pm, The AC/DC Show tribute band ignites the stage, leading into the awe-inspiring balloon glow at 7pm—a Canowindra tradition.
Then it’s back to the music from 7:30pm, as the band keeps the party glowing into the night.
Tickets for all events and camping are through 123tix.com.au and the message from the president is to come out and enjoy this incredible week of festivities.
