General News
14 October, 2024
Murtoa lights up for three day festival
Crowds flocked to Murtoa, from near and far, for the 2024 Big Weekend festival which promised attendees fun and excitement, even after dark.
Friday’s unexpectedly fine weather enticed early risers to the town's 138th A&P Society Show, which ran for most of the day and was open to all comers who wanted to take a turn at the sideshow rides and games, or devour some good old fashioned show-season treats.
The ever-popular Level Up! Gaming crew attended the show to keep the older kids/younger adults entertained, while other family members admired the hundreds of Pavilion show entries on display.
Some left early to attend the social evening at the Bowls Club, while others waited until the show closed at 4pm to venture over to Rabl Park, where they were treated to an evening of live music from talented musicians Brett & Ben Schmidt, and The Last Stand.
As night fell, the true glory of the weekend was revealed as the trees and trails of Rabl Park erupted into colour.
Destination Murtoa Lights was the cumulation of many months of hard work by the community, alongside lead artist Dave Jones (Transience), with lighting installations by Outlook Communications to compliment.
Rabl Park’s layout of meandering and weaving paths became an exciting foray for newcomers and townsfolk alike to explore after dark, with the use of multiple laser types, inflated and illuminated balls, strings of paper lanterns, and glistening fairy lights dripping along the fence.
Dancing trees along the lakeside reflected rainbows across the water and complimented the community's arch bridges, birds, boats and lanterns, and highlighted the animated fish projection created with children’s artworks.
The bridge was a centrepiece of the lightworks, celebrating 40 years since its relocation to the site and recent renovations by Yarriambiack Shire council.
A slideshow projected footage of Apex Club member Andy Delahunty’s story, which could be viewed from the top of the bridge, and provided an interesting historical insight into the epic relocation of the fabulous landmark.
Although Saturday morning began with mixed weather, the crowds continued to enjoy Murtoa’s Lakeside Market, the main street Show’n’Shine, and exploring the many local businesses and cafes.
Many delighted travellers arrived in town from Horsham, or further afield, on the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre's 1966 locomotive which was making its annual four-day journey across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee.
Saturday's Ecycle Solutions Murtoa Cup Race brimmed with excitement and featured even more splashes of colour as ladies dressed in their race-day best for the occassion.
On Saturday night, the Murtoa Mechanics Hall was brought to life with its first ever Big Weekend Disco for teens aged 12-18 years old.
DJ Audio Oasis pumped through four hours of tracks, much to the joy of the young dancers, while adults kept the Railway Hotel rocking after the races, with music provided by Acousticus Stomp.
Sunday morning opened with the 9.30am Colour Run - organised by local school students, which invited attendees to a quick brekky before walking (or running!) a circuit around Lake Marma where four colour stations were positioned to pelt and explode coloured powders on passersby.
A special Ecumenical Service was held later at the Mechanic's Hall, with a fitting theme: "From Little Things, Big Things Grow".
The Stick Shed and Murtoa Museum - including the 1886 Railway Water Tower and 1890s Concordia Cottage -were open all weekend for tours, and the local silo art by Smug could be viewed both in the day, and under lights at night.
The museum also featured pop-up photography exhibition "Comynality" by the talented artists of Comyn Street, Murtoa.
Wimmera Inland Freezing Works Historical Engine Rally ran on Saturday and Sunday, with a display of antique engines and related artefacts, including the four over-a-century-old Richard Hornsby Gas Suction Engines from the original Wimmera Inland Freezing Works, a display of Single Cylinder Engine Tractors, and the Dunmunkle Sumpoilers
Event organisers, all-in-all, were thrilled with how well the weekend's events went, and by the turnout of both locals and out-of-towners who made the effort to come and see everything that Murtoa has to offer.