The performance of Stellarphant by Meerkat Produc-tions in Parkes last week with students from the Parkes Christian School.

Parkes students were treated to a wonderful show last week when Meerkat Productions was in town with a dramatisation of one of the shortlisted Book Week books.

Parkes Shire Library hosted Meerkat Productions for the eighth time for their performance of Stellarphant by James Foley. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) shortlisted book is a powerful story about following your dreams despite overwhelming obstacles.

Students and staff from Parkes Christian School were invited to join in the interactive show at the Cooke Park Pavilion with Meerkat Productions performers, Debbie and Abby.

Students commented after the show saying: “I liked how well they acted and how inclusive they were.” Another one said: “It was funny and witty and I loved the audience’s involvement.”

Meerkat Productions, an Australian theatre company, is owned and operated by qualified teachers who specialise in adapting children’s literature for the stage.

Kelsey Muller is the 2022 Forbes Young Women. She is pictured with Member for Orange Phil Donato. (Photo: Phil Donato Facebook)

Despite some challenging weather the 146th Forbes Show went ahead with great success and lots of support from the community after two years of COVID interruptions.

The pavilions were bursting with displays and plenty of ribbons were handed out to the winners in all the different categories. Kelsey Muller won the 2022 Forbes Young Women competition and will represent Forbes at the zone finals.

The Forbes PA&H Committee thanked the sponsors, stewards, volunteers and attendees for their continued support. “We hope you all enjoyed all the things to see and do and we were over the moon to have you all back!”

The 30th anniversary Feature Concert Series has Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr. (inset) performing combined and separate shows at the Parkes Elvis Festival next year.

The build-up to celebrate 30 years of rockin’ and rollin’ at the Parkes Elvis Festival started this week with ticket sales going crazy from the very first day.

The official launch of the program planned for Monday had to be postponed because of the official mourning period for the Queen, but Festival Director Tiffany Steel said locals could look forward to a program sprinkled with things from the past 30 years, plus some new events.

She did not want to give away too much until the launch early next month but said: “We are bringing back the original minister who did the very first gospel service, as well as the Elvis Tribute Artist.”

Tiffany said with the special anniversary they wanted locals to think about having their holiday at home. “Invite your friends and family to come and stay with you, or consider doing home hosting. We have a great program lined up and we really want the community to get out and experience the festival and show off our town.”

As the festival will be back to its summer spot from 4th to 8th January, the Blue Hawaii theme lends itself to some great dressing up ideas. The 2023 program features plenty of Blue Hawaii-themed events, plus some new and adventurous ones. The Parkes PCYC will be offering Climb Me a Mountain Rock Climbing, while the thrill-seeking fans of The King can skydive over Parkes decked out in their finest Elvis costume. The Feature Concert Series has two artists with Dean Z returning for his fourth time and newly crowned world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists Victor Trevino Jr.

Fans of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock will rejoice to hear that Ross Wilson will be inducted to the Wall of Fame and perform a special concert on the opening day of the festival.

Tickets to all Parkes Elvis Festival shows are available online at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

It seems as though Spring has sprung with a little warmer sunny weather which is great for gardeners to be out and about in the fresh air and digging in the soil.

The Forbes Garden Club is gearing up for the Forbes Show with members getting their entries ready this week. Make sure to visit the flower exhibits when you are at the show this weekend. 

Our third Biennial Spring Flower & Rose show will take place at Club Forbes on 15th October. Entries will be accepted on Friday, 14th October from 3pm to 4pm, as well as on Saturday, 15th October from 7:30 to 9:30am. Doors will close at 10am sharp for judging. All entries are welcome and there is no entry fee charged.

Entry to the Flower Show for the public is just $2, and doors will open at 1:30pm on Saturday, 15th October.

We would like to thank our major sponsors Ace Machining P/L, Acheson’s Home Timber & Hardware, Agriwest, Farmhouse Florae, Flannery Pharmacy, Forbes Riverside Community Gardens, Hoz Pots & Outback Soils.

The flower show schedules are now available, please contact President Elvy on 0428 540 272.

By Elvy Quirk

This weekend’s Forbes Show will be an extravaganza of great local produce, livestock exhibits and entertainment thanks to a $43,000 investment from the NSW Government.

With pet shows, a mullet competition, ute barrel racing and yard dog trials, it promises to have something for everyone in the community to enjoy.

There will also be free face painting and a balloonist, and of course the main attraction for many, the show rides. One of the highlights of the show, the fireworks display, is on at 8pm tonight (Friday).

The horse events had to be cancelled unfortunately because the grounds are too wet and dangerous, but the show jumping has been moved to 8th and 9th October. The carpark for the show on Forester St has also been closed due to wet conditions.

The NSW Government’s Country Shows Support Package will help to upgrade show facilities where exhibits of local produce, art and craft and floral arrangements are housed.

The additional space will allow exhibitors to display their handywork and connect with visitors while they focus on collecting the points needed for the 2023 Royal Easter Show.

To avoid long lines at the show gate, buy your ticket online at www.123tix.com.au/events/31595/forbes-show

See you at the Forbes Show!

The options are endless to create a Christmas tree. This is a previous entry by Forbes North Public School.

Great news for the Christmas lovers is that the time has come to start making plans for this year’s celebrations and Rotary Ipomoea is leading the ‘charge’. 

Rotary Ipomoea members are looking forward to holding its 10th Christmas Tree Festival after a two-year COVID break. 

“We would like to involve as many families, groups, organisations and schools as possible in this year’s event,” said Sue-anne Nixon of the Rotary club. 

She said it was a good time to start planning and making your masterpieces, adding that Jemalong Residential Village had already started working on theirs! The aim is to equal or better the 124 entries received in 2019 as it is a lovely way to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. 

Exhibits need to be delivered to the Forbes Town Hall on Friday, 2nd December, and the exhibition will be open to the public on the same day from 1pm -5pm, all day on Saturday, 3rd December and from 9am to 2pm on Sunday, 4th December. 

“We have no size restrictions or limits on materials used. We love all the amazing ideas people have when making a tree or nativity. Big or small we love them all.”