Bingara Happy Days Orange Festival Full program
05/07/2019 - 07/07/2019
For over half a century the community of Bingara has celebrated its Orange Trees. Planted as a living memorial to Bingara’s fallen in World Wars I and II, the trees and the annual harvesting of the fruit by the local school children happens on only one day of the year.
The Festival which started in 1998 has now become an important part of Bingara’s Orange Tree Memorial tradition.
This year’s festival is a must see for those who love rock n roll and the 50s and 60s era, with screenings of 50s and 60s show reels in the historic Roxy Theatre, retro stalls and fashion parade, car displays, rock n roll music, dance demonstrations and kids entertainment.
Friday 5th July
12.00pm The Annual Bingara Orange Picking
Bingara RSL Club, 46 Finch St
Take part in this much loved Bingara tradition which pays respect to the town’s fallen soldiers and celebrates our freedom. All participants and visitors are invited to pick a couple of oranges to take home and enjoy.
7.00pm ‘Dirty Dancing’ movie night
The Roxy Theatre, 74 Maitland St
Have the time of your life at this fun filled night of singing and dancing!
Hot dogs, ice cream sodas, milkshakes and other hot food available to purchase at the Roxy café from 5.00pm with the movie commencing at 7.00pm.
All tickets $10.00
Saturday 6th July
9.00am – 3.00pm Happy Days Street Carnival
Main Stage
10.00am Festival open and Willoughby school exchange presentations
10.20am Darlin’ and the Midnight Delights
11.50 am Dance demonstrations by Summer Swing Dance Studio
12.05 pm Dance demonstration by Craze Dance Studios
12.15 pm Retro ‘Fashions of the Festival’ with music by Darlin’ and the Midnight Delights
Pop on your Poodle skirt or brush off your bobby socks and enter the ‘Fashions of the Festival’. Contestants can nominate at the main stage or be selected by one of our discerning fashion scouts on the day.
12.45pm Bingara Physical Culture demonstration
1.00pm Milkshake Slurping Competition
Nominate yourself at the main stage and slurp your way to victory in this year’s milkshake drinking competition sponsored by the Roxy Café.
1.15pm Bingara community performances by Bingara Preschool and Bingara Central School.
1.30pm New England Rockabilly Rockers dance demonstrations.
1.45pm Shelley Minson and Band
2.00pm Orange Festival Parade
2.30pm Darlin’ and the Midnight Delights
3.15pm Festival Close
Street Attractions
10.00am – 2.30pm Kids Zone
Cunningham St between the IGA Park and The Regional Australia Bank– a $15 pass allows kids to play all day on the amusement rides. There will be the 3 Way Bungee Tramp, Rock Wall, Chair O Plane, Kids Gym and Giant Inflatable Slide.
Roxy Theatre
The Roxy will be screening retro and vintage footage, documentaries, news reels and TV shows all day, every hour at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
Shake and Bake with the Bingara CWA and Senior Citizens
Senior Citizens Rooms (16 Maitland St)
Any self-respecting Granny in the 50s and 60s would always keep an eye on the farm gate. If she saw visitors arriving, the oven went on and a scone dough was mixed, cut and in the oven before the vehicle pulled up. You too can learn the tips and tricks for perfecting scones with local CWA matriarchs Roma Bundock and Heather Gilmour, or enjoy retro treats like scones, sponge cake and finger sandwiches with the all-day morning tea.
Perfecting scones and other baking hacks for the Domestic Goddess – hints and tips
11.00am and 12.30pm
All day morning tea
9.00am to 2.00pm
10.15am and 12.30pm – Rock n Roll Dance Lessons
The Bingara Civic Centre (29 Maitland St)
Get ready to shake, rattle and roll at our fun and easy rock n roll dance classes with Summer Swing Dance Studios.
Roving Performers
Roving throughout the street all day will be Trichia, a nature loving human, and her friendly garden snail, Helix. They live in Helix’s beautifully crafted shell and are slowly travelling the world, enjoying the magic in simple things. Joining Trichia and Helix are the Memphis Moovers, this musical trio will be cutting laps of the main street in their mini retro vehicles playing classic tunes from the 50s and 60s.
Classic Car Displays
Displays of classic cars will be on show in Maitland St between the Roxy Theatre and the Bingara IGA. For any car owners or clubs interested in participating, please contact the Bingara Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6724 0066.
Vintage Vans
Displays of adorable, super cool, totally cute vintage caravans will be on display in Maitland St between the Roxy Theatre and the Bingara IGA. For any vintage caravan owners or clubs interested in participating, please contact the Bingara Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6724 0066.
7.00pm to Late – Bingara RSL 50’s Dance Hall
Bingara RSL Club, 46 Finch St
Dance the night away with legendry 50s and 60s DJ Grizzly Adams and the New England Rockabilly Rockers. For more information call the Bingara RSL Club on 6724 1404.
Sunday 7th July
1.30pm Retro Bowls, Beers and BBQ
Bingara Sporting Club, 8 Bombelli St
Join the Bingara Sporting club for a relaxing afternoon of bowls, beers and a BBQ. Participants are encouraged to don their safari suit or their leathers and go retro for the afternoon. For more information contact the club on 6724 1406.
2.30pm ‘Sugar, Sugar’ – Live Show
The Roxy Theatre, 74 Maitland St
Swing through the retro eras with this riotous dance cabaret featuring the fabulously sassy sugary delights from Candy Shop Show Australia.
Sugar, Sugar is a musical journey with a twist, which plays homage to some of the best artists of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. With colourful high-energy dance numbers, beautiful vocals and plenty of audience interaction it will be one hell of a party and a fantastic way to cap off a great weekend. To book visit www.roxybingara.com.au or call the Bingara Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6724 0066.
Downloads
To participate in the parade download an application form here:
Seniors and disabled parking
Seniors and disabled parking will be located at the back of the Gwydir Shire Council depot which can be accessed from Cunningham St providing easy access to the street and main stage. (Can you please add a google map to demonstrate how to access the back of the depot parking?)
For more information on any of the events or to get involved with the festival please contact the Bingara Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6724 0066.
