By Lyn Jablonski

Last weekend, the inaugural Jimmy Little Music & Arts Festival was hailed as an outstanding success in Lightning Ridge.

Thousands of festivalgoers joined in the daytime festivities staged outdoors at the Lightning Ridge Sports Fields.

The event featured Kasey Chambers, James Blundell, Buzz Bidstrup (The Angels), Mark Callaghan (GANG-gajang). Supporting performers over the two-day gathering included Dean Ray, blues man Mr Buddy Knox Band, Brendan Gallagher (Karma County) Stiff Gins, James Henry and local artists JustUs, Kelsey Barker and dancer Joshua Doctor.

Renowned comedian Anthony Lamond took on the MC role over the two days of free entertainment and festivities.

The crowd was engulfed with rhythms and beats from a fantastic lineup of Australia’s famous musicians and artists. 

The music festival was supported by twenty-seven stall holders, food vendors, and a sideshow alley also offered to locals and the massive influx of visitors.

Local entrants included Rebel Black, Logan Loshe, Mitchell Steele, Garth Boulton, Muruwari Budjiti Dance Group, Helen & Friends and Rita May Walford.

Congratulations to the winners of the Talent Quest, Mitchell Steele, Rita May Walford, and the Aboriginal dance team Muruwari Budjiti dancers. The winners were presented their prize money from sponsor John Murray Art Gallery, Walgett Shire Council, Lightning Ridge Bowling Club and Walgett Newsagency. 

Kasey Chambers, the guest act on Saturday, was supported by her father Bill Chambers and ex-Angel 'Buzz', on the drums.

It was a fantastic performance spellbinding the crowd. Kasey hung around following her performance and signed autographs, hats, shirts and such for the fans.

Gangagang were among the great Australian artists performing. PHOTO: Lyn Jablonski

The headliner on Sunday was James Blundell acknowledged by many as the act that single-handedly shaped modern Australian country music. He was joined by his son Briar on guitar.

The festival concluded with performers coming together on stage for the last song of the festival.

A visitor from St George, Jo Foster Strasek, said she drove down to the Ridge for the Sunday, “It was so worth it, she beamed, “Everything about the festival was great, plenty of food, coffee van and I loved looking at the market stalls.”

Ms Foster Strasek said she appreciated that it was an alcohol-free event.

“I’m looking forward to next year, she said and added, “The organizers should be very proud of their efforts for putting on such a great event.”

The festival featured a range of market stalls including locals Cindy and Charlie Brown. PHOTO: Lyn Jablonski

The Walgett Shire Council’s Manager Community Development, Mr George McCormick, said, “The many objectives of the festival set out to achieve have been well and truly ticked, and the small organizing team are overwhelmed at the successful outcome.”  

“Our intentions, from a few years ago when the previous Council General Manager Mike Urquhart and I struck up the concept, has grown, and some of the outcomes are unexpected but welcomed,” he said.

Event consultant and support Act Buzz Bidstrup said, “The inaugural Jimmy Little music festival in Lightning Ridge was a huge success. As someone who has organized many similar events, this was the start of something big,” he said.

“This has proved to be a winner on so many fronts. We hope it will become the biggest open-air music festival in the history of Lightning Ridge, and possibly the whole outback NSW,” said Mr Mcormick.