The skies over Canowindra are set to daz­zle as the beloved Canowindra Balloon Festival returns from 26 April to 4 May.

This vibrant week-long celebration of hot air balloons, music, art, food, and commu­nity spirit offers something for everyone.

Festivities lift off with the Welcome Street Party on 26 April, featuring live music from Nerida Cuddy and the Neil Gill Band, along­side a sizzling BBQ competition, delicious food, and market stalls. Throughout the week, enjoy Flicker Fest at Rosnay, crea­tive Paint and Sips, inspiring workshops from The Creative Cure, and Sue Hodges’ art exhibition at the Canowindra Services Club, just to name a few of the offerings for the week.

Test your trivia knowledge at the Trivia Night hosted by the Canowindra Public School P&C. Then, don’t miss the Home Ground Sounds Concert on 2 May, head­lined by country star Casey Barnes, with performances by Furnace and The Fun­damentals, Big Night Out, and Nathan La­mont.

Saturday, 3 May, begins with the thrilling Balloon Key Grab, followed by the CWA All Day Breakfast, a colourful street parade, and the spectacular Cabonne Community Glow—gates open from 3pm.

Whether you’re here for the balloons or the beats, the Canowindra Balloon Festival is an unforgettable autumn escape. Bal­loons fly from 27 April to 2 May mornings and afternoons, weather permitting.

Tickets and more information available at Balloon HQ located on Gaskill Street and 123tix.com.au.

On Friday 25 April 2025, Australian’s will mark the 110th anniversary of the Gal­lipoli landings, as well as commemorating all Australians who have served in times of peace and war. Parkes and Forbes residents are invited to attend the ANZAC Day Commemorative Services to be held across the Parkes and Forbes Shires:

PARKES ANZAC COMMEMMORATIONS

• Dawn Service 5:30am at Memorial Hill

• Breakfast Bistro 6:30am at Parkes Ser­vices Club

• Church Service 7am at Holy Family Catholic Church

• Church Service 7:30am at Parkes Angli­can Church

• ANZAC Day March 8:30am at Welcome Street, Chamberlain Square and Clar­inda Street to Cooke Park

• Commemorative Service am at Cooke Parkes

• Wreath Laying Pilgrimage 10:45am at Parkes Cemetery War Graves

• ANZAC Day Luncheon 12pm at Parkes Services Club

• Sound Retreat 5pm at Cooke Park

• The Ode 6pm at Parkes Services Club

FORBES ANZAC COMMEMMORATIONS

• Dawn Service 5:20am Harold Street, form up 5.15am Templar Street, adja­cent to Club Forbes

• ANZAC Day March 10:15am Cross Street, Cross Street, Lachlan Street, Harold Street terminating at Cenotaph

• Commemmorative Service 10:30am Harold Street

The Canowindra International Balloon Festival is renowned for its stunning hot air balloons and community spirit, but this year, the festival promises to soar even higher with the Home Ground Sounds Concert. Taking place on Friday, 2 May, at the Canowin­dra Oval, this electrifying event will feature some of Australia’s top musical talent, ensuring an unforgettable night for concert-goers.

Headlining the concert is Casey Barnes, a multi-award-winning Australian country music artist. With his impressive vocal range and captivating performances, Casey has earned his place as one of the country’s most respected talents. His chart-topping hits and energetic stage presence will undoubtedly light up the evening.

Joining Casey on stage are Furnace and the Fundamentals, the ultimate party band known for their high-octane performances.

Fresh from their UK tour, Furnace and the Fundamentals have played some of the world’s largest music festivals, and now they’re bringing their signature blend of funk, soul, and rock to Canowin­dra. Get ready for a show filled with infectious energy and non-stop dancing.

Also featured is Nathan Lamont, an up-and-coming star in the Australian country music scene. Known for his heartfelt lyrics and powerful performances, Nathan is making waves across the indus­try and will bring a fresh, exciting sound to the concert.

Bring your chairs, picnic rugs, organise a Grazing Box from IGA and come along for a great night out. There is a licensed bar on site and there is strictly no BYO or glass permitted into the concert.

Gates open at 5pm with the concert kicking off at 6:30pm. Hosted by Roundbox Group, this is a must-attend event for anyone look­ing to enjoy world-class music in the heart of Canowindra.

Locals from Parkes and Forbes and the sur­rounds, are invited to a Drop in Sessions be­ing run by Parkes Energy Recovery, a con­sortium led by Tribe Infrastructure Group, to discuss their proposed Parkes Energy Re­covery facility in the Parkes Special Activa­tion Precinct (Parkes Precinct). The drop in sessions began at The Cooke Park Pavillion on Thursday 10 April and will continue on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 from 8am – 5pm.

The proposed facility will divert an esti­mated 600,000 tonnes of waste per annum from landfill and generate at least 60 mega­watts of energy – enough to power 80,000 homes per year.

The consortium will now begin the pro­cess of wide community engagement and the planning and environmental approvals process for the facility that it will design, fund, own and operate on land leased from RGDC (Regional Growth NSW Develop­ment Corporation). If you have questions, concerns or are in­terested in knowing more information, then Council encourages residents to participate in the community engagement opportunities led by Parkes Energy Recovery. For infor­mation on the proposed facility, visit www.parkesenergy.com.au info@parkesenergy.com.au or call 02 8405 7915.

Galari-River Arts Forbes Inc and Club Forbes are excited to bring free screenings of Avarice with Q&A Session Featuring Forbes Filmmaker Dane Millerd.

Fans of action thrillers are in for a treat as two special free screenings of Avarice will take place on Sunday, 13 April at Club Forbes. The screenings, at 4pm and 6pm, will be followed by a Q&A session with the film’s writer, local journalist, filmmaker, and screenwriter, Dane Millerd.

Forbes’ local talent behind the film, Dane Millerd, who wrote and developed the screenplay, will be available for a post-screening Q&A, providing insight into the creative process and sharing be­hind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film – suitable for anyone wanting an insight into a film making career.

About Avarice

Avarice is an action-packed thriller. Shot in stunning Australian lo­cations, the film combines heart-pounding action with an intricate, suspenseful storyline, starring the talented Luke Ford in a role that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dane Millerd is an Australian journalist, filmmaker, and screen­writer with a passion for storytelling. Known for his unique perspec­tive and powerful narratives, Millerd’s work on Avarice brings to life a gripping tale of ambition, danger, and human nature.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to experience Avarice on the big screen. Admission is free, but seats will be limited. To reserve your spot, please visit https://events.humanitix.com/avarice-q-and-a

Homegrown Parkes is back for 2025, pro­viding an opportunity for visitors and locals to fill their Saturday in Parkes with plenty of good food and local produce next Sat­urday, 29 March between 9am and 2pm in Cooke Park.

Homegrown Parkes provides an oppor­tunity for local and regional businesses who are processing, repurposing, sewing, propagating or producing fabulous local products to share their skill and products with the community.

Demonstrations will again be one of the highlights of the 2025 events, highlighting processes for using locally produced food and products, with the aim of encouraging locals to grow produce in their own back­yard.

The Homegrown Parkes Committee con­sists of members of Central West Lachlan Landcare, Parkes Community Arts and Parkes Shire Council.

If you are interested in joining the Home­grown Parkes events, make sure you fol­low their social media, check out their website: centralwestlachlanlandcare.org/get-involved/homegrown-parkes/ or con­tact Marg Applebee on 0418 611 053 or via email homegrownparkes@gmail.com The Homegrown Parkes spring event will be held on Saturday, 11 October.