What an excuse to kick back in Carinda - it's been forty years since David Bowie and his entourage took over the Carinda Hotel to film the iconic Red Shoes music video and the Let's Dance Festival committee is pulling out all stops to make the anniversary memorable.

The Carinda community held their first event in 2016 and began building a solid following over the next four years before COVID wiped out the 2020 and 2021 events.

In 2022 they re-grouped and were all set to stage their comeback festival when widespread flooding caused a last-minute cancellation.

Almost 250 people have already booked their tickets for Let's Dance 2023 but the organisers are working to make sure they can comfortably handle at least double that number.

"We're hoping for at least 350 or 400 out of town visitors," says Treasurer Bec McLellan. "We expect at least 100 locals and there's less than two weeks to go, so who knows?!"

Carinda's October Long Weekend starts on Friday evening 29 September with a Bowie-inspired trivia night and musical entertainment and ends with a leisurely Sunday Sesh following a glam-packed Bowie Street Parade and the famous re-enactment of Bowie's once-in-a-lifetime gig in the bar of George's Hotel at 12noon.

In between, there is so much action and music at the Sportsground on Saturday that you wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

David Bowie blew through Carinda forty years ago and the place where he filmed his famous film clip will be ready to mark the occasion on the long weekend.

"There's a whole new line up of performers this year," said Bec. "Ashes to Ashes David Bowie Experience are our feature act and they're already working their way to Carinda."

The well-known tribute band are coming via shows at Palms Crown Casino in Melbourne, the Glen Street Theatre in Sydney and at the Laycock Street Theatre in Gosford.

The live music will start at Carinda Sportsground at lunchtime on Saturday, the crowd will be treated to shows by Brad Haling (12.30 - 1.30), the Duchess & Lace (2 - 3.30) and Tina Martini (4-5pm).

The Viper Creek Band will hit the stage with their special brand of pub rock from 5.30 to 8.30 before Ashes to Ashes bring the best of Bowie to life from 9 to midnight.

Aside from non-stop music, you can try Bowie Bush Golf or Basket Weaving Workshops on Saturday morning from 11, marvel at the Dog Jumping and browse the market stalls.

There's a Red Shoe tent, where you can add your artistry to the growing collection that adorns the fence beside the local pool.

As well as liquid refreshments, there's a crazy mix of food vendors to choose from.

Local pulled lamb with salad, the Smokin BBQ trailer, mexican fare, gozleme and spuds on sticks.

Campers are well catered for regardless of whether you're swagging, tenting or glamping.

"We've got twenty glamping tents available, the oval is for tents only and the rest of the footy ground is open to campers," Bec said. "They've even mowed the paddock across the road if we need extra space."

Regardless of where you want to sleep, what you like to eat, or even what music you fancy, the Let's Dance Festival is an open invitation to family-friendly fun.

"You don't really need to be a huge Bowie fan to enjoy it, the" said Bec. "In Carinda we just enjoy getting out and making our own fun."