The town of Lightning Ridge is bright and shiny this week with the annual Lightning Ridge Opal and Gem Festival in full swing. 

The Festival got underway on Wednesday and will run until Sunday 28 July.

It's a veritable showcase of all things Opal and Gem.  

The local organisers say “jewellers, buyers, wholesalers, miners, rock-hounds, lapidary enthusiasts and tourists are invited to experience the best Lightning Ridge has to offer with this culmination of information, spectacular jewellery, collectables, great deals and fantastic networking opportunities.”

With free entry to the indoor and outdoor stalls, (Agate Street – behind Chemist and Racecourse carpark) the festival boasts over 150 stalls with a huge range of gemstones, lapidary supplies and lifestyle products.  

Free Demonstrations of lapidary cutting, and carving will take place each day over the course of the four days with a highlight of the Festival being the annual Opal Queen Ball on Saturday night, where the Opal Queen will be crowned for 2024. 

Organiser Sally Weeks is thrilled with the first couple of days attendance. 

“We have had record attendance at the Festival in the last two days with around 2000 people the first day and 1500 people on Thursday, which is so exciting for us.  

“The Festival which first commenced in the seventies, but in its current format in the late 90’s, is a highlight for the small community and brings people from all over Australia and the world.” 

“Although it is essentially an Opal and Gem Trade Show, we do have lots of stalls so there is something for everyone. 

“Our aim for the Festival is to promote the opal industry as well as Lightning Ridge as a tourist destination and to provide a safe, secure environment for miners, buyers, wholesalers, jewellers, lapidary enthusiasts and the general public to come together and share their passion for opals and gems,” said Mrs. Weeks. 

“Our Opal sellers represent all the Opal mining areas within Australia, and our buyers and tourists come from all over Australia and overseas as well, we even spoke to some British travellers who saw an advertisement about the Festival on a British travel site and decided to come over which was cool." 

“We have music performances from our local school music students which is fantastic. Country kids have such limited opportunities to showcase their talent, so this gives them a chance to step out and perform.” 

“On Saturday we have our Opal Queen Ball which is a celebration of the contributions and achievements of local women within the local community and is always a highlight of the week for the locals and visitors alike,” according to Mrs Weeks. 

“It is a brilliant weekend for the Community, and we love that everyone enjoys it so much.”  

For more information head to the festival website for information on what’s happening each day or follow them on Facebook - Lightning Ridge Opal and Gem Festival.