After a year’s break, Tilba Festival is back, and the committee of volunteers have selected a date in spring that coincides with the beginning of the NSW and ACT school holidays and the middle of the Victorian school holidays.

Central Tilba’s Bate Street will be covered in spring flowers and the children at Central Tilba Public School are creating a new spring-themed banner. It will be added to the collection of iconic hand-painted banners that are synonymous with the festival.

Many banners date back to the early 1990s, carrying the whimsical art of the late John Small alongside creations by local schoolchildren from decades past. Thanks to recent touch-ups and repairs, these beloved canvas keepsakes are once again ready to shine.

Nicole Clark is among the dedicated volunteers pouring their heart into the festival, fuelled by a love for it that goes all the way back to their childhood.

“I went to it as a kid and have so many beautiful memories,” Ms Clark said.

As the festival has grown some things have had to change, including moving it from its traditional Easter time slot and parking is now at the oval in Tilba Tilba. Shuttle buses run between the oval and the festival throughout the day.

The festival has plenty to keep children entertained: a Kids Zone where there will be face painting, craft activities and two show-stopping performances by magician The Great Zamboni.

Egg tossing at Tilba Festival.

The old-fashioned games of egg tossing, cheese rolling and boot throwing are crowd favourites.

For the legendary egg tossing game, people stand in two rows tossing an egg between them. Each time there is a successful throw, the contestant takes a step backwards.

“It is always good fun,” Ms Clark said. “People invariably end up with smashed egg on them. The kids love it.”

A new game of bowling that uses the hoses from the RFS fire truck is being introduced as well. That was successfully trialled on Father’s Day.

Bate Street will be closed to traffic and lined by talented artisans and food trucks.

The street and some of the locals’ historical cars will be decorated with native wildflowers from Wyndham Flower Farm and everlasting paper daisies from Mountain View Farm in Tilba Tilba.

“Mountain View Farm will be open from 4 pm to 5 pm, because people love to go there to take photos of the fields of pink and white daisies with the mountain in the background,” Ms Clark said.

Bate Street will be closed to traffic and lined with talented artisans and food trucks.

As always there is an impressive line-up of homegrown musical performers throughout the day. Acts include local country music favourites Dust & Echos, along with Abby May, winner of the Special Judges Award at the 2025 Australian National Busking Championships. She brings a soulful blend of contemporary folk and acoustic storytelling, captivating audiences with her heartfelt songs and expressive voice.

They will be joined by Jakob Poyner who wowed the Australian Idol judges with his distinctive vocals when he performed in 2023 as an eighteen-year-old, and by Piper and the Daymakers who blend folk, roots and indie influences. Perennial festival favourites Shannanigans return with their blues, soul and funk classics that get audiences singing and dancing.

There will be children busking along the street to participate in Tilba’s Got Talent.

Tilba Festival is a day for the whole family to slow down, have fun, enjoy live music and celebrate Tilba’s unique heritage.

The festival is on from 9:30 am to 4 pm on Saturday 26 September. Tickets can be bought in advance here. Prices are $20 for adults, $10 for children and $50 for a family ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult on the day. Children under four years enter free with a ticketed adult, but still require a booked ticket.

Original Article published by Marion Williams on About Regional.