Drovers set to return to Boggabri

More than 200 caravans are expected to roll into Boggabri Showground this weekend as the Drovers Campfire makes a long-awaited return.

The event was started by the Boggabri Lions Club in 2006 and had grown in popularity and attendance each year, until COVID put a hold on things.

The Boggabri Lions Club organising committee is thrilled that the event has attracted such a strong interest with its return, held from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30.

Drovers 2023 sees many of the crowd favourite entertainment options returning to the program, as well as something new.

Comedy hypnotist Matt Hale is bringing his award-winning 80s themed show ‘Top Fun’ to the Drovers’ stage as part of the Saturday evening entertainment.

Visitors should be ready to laugh along, sing along or even star in the show, if they so choose to.

Live music will feature daily, along with antique machinery displays.

Visitors also have the option to immerse themselves in and learn about the local area, with tours planned for several local farms and the Boggabri Coal and Whitehaven Maules Creek mines.

There is a diverse range of activities hosted at the showground and in and around Boggabri during the event.

Market and food stalls, a kids’ activity corner, damper cooking and a billy boiling competition makes Saturday the ultimate family day out, even if camping is not your style.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is manning the gate for day visitor entry on Saturday, on behalf of Boggabri Lions Club.

A long list of community groups assist Lions with running this event and receive support in return, as a way of sharing the benefits of the event throughout the community.

“It’s amazing that an event of this size is run solely by volunteers,” said Ellen McClung, member of the organising committee.

“It’s great to be able to share where we live in this way, and that is only possible with the support of so many local volunteers and sponsors.

“We especially thank Boggabri Coal, who has supported the event for many years but has taken their sponsorship to the next level this year, which will assist us to relaunch with a bang.”

At the heart of Drovers is the coming together around the campfire in the evenings and enjoying the company of friends.

Excitement has been building on the Drovers’ social media page from returning visitors, who are looking forward to catching up with friends not seen in a while.

Full details of the Drovers program is available on the Drovers Campfire website and Facebook page.