The 67th Annual National Cherry Festival starts today with a party in Anderson Park from 5pm featuring live music, Cherry Queen crowning and a massive fireworks display.

The festival has already drawn many visitors to the region and an influx of day trippers are expected to further swell numbers over the weekend.

The cherry harvest is underway and an abundance of fruit and popular pick-your-own cherries experiences will be available over the weekend.

Committee chairman Lenore Schiller has extended a warm welcome to all visitors and invites them to embrace all the festival offers.

The festival will continue throughout the weekend with plenty to attract people of all ages and interests.

The Allied Grain Systems Cherry Festival Golf Cup also takes place at Young Golf Club with a two person Ambrose on Sunday. The property, “Clifton” has an open garden from 10.30am to 3pm with croquet on the lawn and two flute ensembles as well as light refreshments on Sunday. A Carols by Choirs event at St Mary’s Catholic Church starts at 3pm.

Entertainment Area – Anderson Park Thursday, December 1 6am to Sunday, December 4 1pm; The access service road within the Anderson Park/Tourist Information Centre precinct will be temporarily closed. Lynch Street between Lovell Street and the railway line will be temporarily closed for the purpose of the entertainment area activities from 6.30am Saturday, December 3 to 5pm Sunday, December 4. The NSW Transport Coach pickup and drop off area during this event will be at the Library in Lynch Street.

Fireworks Spectacular – Lovell Street (vacant property opposite Roccy FM/2LF) Friday, December 2 from 8.45pm to 10.15pm; Lovell Street (Lynch Street to Zouch Street). 

Vehicle detour as follows; Lovell Street is part of the Heavy Vehicle Bypass route through the CBD for generally east – west traffic movement. For the period of the temporary road closure Heavy Vehicles as well as general through traffic east bound towards Boorowa and west bound to Temora will be detoured via Boorowa Street.

All other traffic travelling to or from Grenfell and Cowra would be advised to detour via William Street (Elizabeth Street to Main Street) and Main Street (William Street to Lovell Street).

The existing load limit signage of Main Street (Lovell Street to William Street) will need to be covered and B-Double access permissible during this period.

Car Show – Young Town Hall Car Park – Saturday 3rd December 7am to 2.30pm The Young Town Hall car park at the rear of the Hilltops Council offices will be temporarily closed.

The temporary road closure of Rogan Lane on the eastern side of the car park shall be in place for the duration of the Entertainment Area.

Lighting Lane will remain open to vehicles.

Street Parade – Boorowa Street from Zouch  Street to Thornhill Street, Saturday, December 3 at 4pm to 5pm (parade time); Parking along Boorowa Street from Zouch Street to Clarke Street will be restricted from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Motorists are advised to ensure they have removed their vehicle prior to 1.30pm. Temporary road closure of Boorowa Street from Zouch Street to Clarke Street will take effect from 3.30pm to 5:.30pm.

Marshalling area – Residents note restricted vehicle access shall be in operation for the Marshalling area as stated below; Cloete Street (east of Zouch Street), Calabash Street, Junction Street, Boorowa Street (east of Zouch Street). Vehicle detour as follows; A short delay will be encountered with traffic for the north-south passing traffic flow as the parade proceeds.

Traffic Control officers located at the Boorowa Street and Zouch Street round-a-bout will evaluate the through traffic queuing and when required stop the parade participants to allow traffic to proceed. Signposted detours via the Heavy Vehicle Bypass routes will be in place with SES personnel to assist where required.

East – west and north-west traffic will be detoured along Lovell Street, west-south traffic shall be detoured along Dundas and Thornhill Street.

Celtic Tattoo/Massed Bands – Boorowa Street (Main Street to Clarke Street) Saturday, December 3 from 5pm to 9pm. Vehicle detour as follows; Lovell Street is part of the Heavy Vehicle Bypass route through the CBD for generally east – west traffic movement.  For the period of the temporary road closure heavy vehicles as well as general through traffic travelling east along Boorowa Street (towards Boorowa/Cowra/Grenfell) will be detoured via Thornhill Street and Lovell Street.

West bound heavy vehicles as well as general through traffic travelling west along Boorowa Street (towards Temora) will be detoured via Main Street,Short Street, Campbell Street, Dundas Street and Thornhill Street.

NOTE: Council advises reserved parking for coaches and buses will be provided in Lovell street between the RMS Motor Registry and Poppa’s Fudge Factory, northern side only Saturday, December 3 between the hours of 7am to 7pm.

Council apologises for any inconvenience motorists and residents.

Disabled Parking area available in front of YES Embroidery to TSG – Boorowa Street.