STRAP yourself in with your RM Williams leather belt for what is the ultimate bush festival.
The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival (MSFR) at Corryong brings to life the legend of Banjo Paterson’s famous poem with four days of action-packed entertainment that covers every aspect of bush life.
The Flagship events include a 9-event MFSR Stockman's Challenge, a live re-enactment of the Man From Snowy River poem, two nights of Wrangler Extreme Broncs rodeo and the 5-day Riley's Ride (a dying Jack Riley's last ride from Tom Groggin Station to Corryong).
At every turn there are incredible events and entertainment galore for all ages. The Ag Field Days showcasing the best of the agricultural world are on Thursday and Friday and each day a huge live music lineup plays across multiple venues. Add shopping stalls with multiple products, markets, kids’ activities and food vans, all perfect for browsing between main events.
“We are so excited to welcome a new management team to the MFSRBF for 2024 with lots of improvements happening for our patrons and competitors,” said MFSR media coordinator Sarah Rowson.
Sarah said the campsites were filling up quickly and said people should “jump on to our website today to get your tickets, we have so much to look forward to in 2024”.
The Street Parade is not to be missed, led by the Riley’s Ride after their five day trek from Tom Groggin. Corryong’s Hanson Street is lined with patrons viewing the parade which includes everything from hot rods who then have their own show and shine, horses, livestock and event contestants.
The poem’s re-enactment is an epic piece of horsemanship and skill, the show starting with the story of Jack Riley and Banjo Paterson’s meeting at Tom Groggin Station that evolves into the horses’ escape. Bushmen then chase and round up the horses all in a dramatic scene which is a unique part of the Man From Snowy River heritage. Staged at Thowlga, 5km from Corryong, book tickets early for this event.
Bush lovers will be in their element as the Australian bush heritage is kept alive with the Bush Idol singing event, bush poetry and bush markets. There are art shows, the 2024 theme “Call of the High Country” certain to attract magical works across four different categories including photography, painting, works on paper, sculpture and other mediums.
The Stockmen’s Challenge showcases some of Australia’s most skilled horses and riders plus high calibre horsemanship. Set a series of tasks they would encounter in the bush, all entrants are scored and the best qualifying for the final. Categories include pack horse, bareback, horseshoeing, stock handling, whip crack and cross country plus stockman’s cutout.
The top 10 finalists in the open category will go head to head in the Wild Horse Catch and a Stock Saddle Buck Jump to be crowned the winner of The Man From Snowy River Challenge on the Sunday afternoon. The main arena a great sight for the finale.
Visit www.bushfestival.com.au for detailed event information and tickets.
