Around 1500 people flooded the main street of Nyngan last weekend to attend the much anticipated ‘Big Bogan Street Festival’. 

The free event pulled a crowd from around the district and region, as locals and visitors alike enjoyed the day out. 

Following receipt of funding from Transport NSW Open Street program, Bogan Shire staff went into action putting together an afternoon to be remembered under the steerage of Shire staff Haylee Martin and Olivia Ashton. 

The event commenced under the shade of the Big Bogan statue, with appropriately, the judging of the ‘Best Bogans’.

A line up of mullets, shearers singlets, footy shorts and thongs, gave the judges a tricky job to decide who wore it best. 

In the end, Andrew Dundas and Barry Mason wowed the judges in the Adult Male Bogan division.

Barry, who hitched himself to a proper Bogan sheila 53 years ago (former Nyngan local Mary Cooney), celebrated his win and his wedding anniversary by donating his second prize winnings to the local branch of Can Assist.

The cordoned off main street was lined with market stalls from Nyngan and beyond and there was something for all ages to enjoy. 

Bogan Shire Mayor Glen Neill said council were thrilled with the event and the organisational skills of council staff to get it up and running. 

PHOTO: Mayor Glen Neill with Best Bogan winners Andrew Dundas and Barry Mason (Lithgow). Photo Abigail McLaughlin 

“What a great day out,” said Mayor Neill 

“The Festival brought together the community and provided a fantastic day out for our local town, not only did it bring the locals out, but gave a boost to the economy with fuel, food, and accommodation sales from visitors to the town. 

“The Shire staff did an amazing job to put the event together as it was a large-scale event to organise. The Outdoor staff were flat out and worked really hard in preparation and in clean-up,” said Mr Neill.

“We were able to showcase our town and what a great little place it is,” he said. 

A line up of music acts, headlined by the well known ‘The Wolfe Bros”, along with support act ‘The Baker Boys Band’, Chinwag, Bec White and Jo Hyndes, filled the air with people jumping up to dance or sitting back tapping their feet.  

The Wolfe brothers enjoyed travelling out for the day and said they loved every minute. 

PHOTO: The Wolfe Bros Band getting into the mood before performing  

“In our job we get to travel to many different parts of Australia, Nyngan was a beautiful part of Australia with even better people.” 

“A real treat for us to play a great community event like that,” according to the band. 

The kids didn’t miss out either with shows from ‘The Beanies’ which saw kids jumping and jiving as the group performed. 

“We had such a fantastic time at the Big Bogan Street Festival,” said the Beanies. “we’ve toured to Nyngan before just after Co-vid and we always love coming out to see our fan base out west.” 

Stallholder Angela Armstrong came along for the day with her ‘The Cocky’s Wife’ mouth-watering food and was really pleased with how she was supported. 

The Cocky's wife stall ready for action - photo Angie Armstrong 

“It was wonderful to see the main street come alive with beautiful music and dance, delicious food and drinks, sunshine and community connection,” said Mrs. Armstrong. 

“A huge thank you to the council and volunteers for organising such an incredible event in our region,” she said. 

Haylee Lane from Hayley’s Country Creations said the event was a credit to the organisers. 

PHOTO: Hayley Lane in front of her stall at the Big Bogan Street Festival - Photo. Hayley Lane 

“The event was well planned out and set up,” according to Ms Lane. “Haylee and Olivia did an amazing job and were so attentive to the stall holders.”

“For a first-time event it was bigger than expected and the support of the community was great. It is the type of event you can see growing as the years go on.”  

Mayor Neill said that while it would be good to hold the event annually, it was dependent on funding, although, with the success of this event, he was sure the community would be happy to see it take place in 2025. 

"Small communities really know how to put on a good show," he said. 

The Beanies entertaining the crowd - Photo Abigail McLaughlin