BOLD red and gold programs, adorned with Chinese characters, proclaiming Young’s first Lambing Flat Chinese Festival were released last week promising a day-long event like no other.
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The April 12 festival is a celebration of Chinese culture and provides family entertainment with a distinctly Asian theme.
While Young is best known for delicious cherries and the iconic National Cherry Festival the Lambing Flat Chinese Festival offers new sights, sounds and flavours.
“We’re really excited,” said Tourism Manager David Newberry, “although we’ve had Lambing Flat Festivals in the past this is the first where the Chinese theme has been front and centre and we are inviting everyone to experience the difference.”
The programs can be obtained from the Young Visitor Information Centre and also downloaded from visityoung.com.au
Acknowledging Young’s early links with Chinese miners and celebrating the contribution of the Chinese to the development and culture of Australia, the town has put together an entertaining program of events that starts at 10am and closes with a gathering of sunset lanterns in the park and an 8pm Chinese production featuring opera.
The festival program is written in English and traditional Chinese and listed among key attractions are a Chinese fireworks display, Chinese lion dancing, martial artists, Chinese and international food, craft and Asian themed market stalls and Kung Fu demonstrations.
There’s an afternoon local schools event and pony rides for children in the park.
Hear Australian paralympic gold medalist Lindy Hou, an Australian of Chinese heritage, as she is interviewed about her unique achievements.
There will also be an historical re-enactment of the 1861 Lambing Flat riots.
Festival goers can attend a big art and sculpture exhibition that opens at 10am at the Town Hall in the main street, see the original Lambing Flat banner and other historic artifacts from Young’s past at the Lambing Flat Folk Museum and there will be a Hilltops wine tasting.
“We’re having mass lanterns in the park at 6pm sunset and we’ve inviting everyone to make, buy or borrow a lanterns and help us light up Anderson Park for what will be a wonderful spectacle,” said Mr Newberry
“This will be followed by Chinese lion dancing and a Chinese fireworks display.”
The program has a big finale, a performance of Life’s a Stage by Australasian Art & Stageworks at 8pm at Southern Cross Cinema when Gabby Chan, Harry Tseng and Ai Diem Le will be performing. The production was part of the official program, the 2013 Sydney Chinese New Year celebrations.
Mr Newberry paid tribute to the collaboration provided by the Chinese community in Sydney and the performers who are visiting Young to provide entertainment.
For those looking for a full weekend of entertainment at Young, Friday evening will see a Chinese Australian Short Film Fest, while in nearby Harden on Sunday there will be a celebration of Hilltops Region food and wine with a Spanish twist.
Harden’s newly upgraded main street, Neill Street will be transformed into an alfresco eatery on Sunday with Spanish paella and wine served on trestle tables from 11am to 3pm.
For more information please go to visityoung.com.au
