For two weeks in October the Western Plains will be the entertainment focus of the state with local music festivals and entertainment events receiving a welcome injection of state funds.

A dozen western regional councils have won a share of over $3.6 million as part of the NSW Government’s renewed Open Streets 2025-28 Program, which supports councils to temporarily close streets to create places for people to gather.

Narromine and Gilgandra will be among those opening up their main streets for headline acts to bring community together and to reinvigorate the local business economy with the Dolly Festival and the Goin to Gil Weekend all set to be supercharged.

Narromine Mayor Ewen Jones says his council loves backing the ‘Narromine Dolly Festival’ and there is an opportunity to plan ahead now it has received a big boost from the Open Streets Program.

The funding extends from 2025-28.

The Council is also driving dollars into the party.

The ‘Dolly Festival’, named after iconic USA country hit maker Dolly Parton, will get a $158,000 boost from the state government.

‘’The event is fabulous and is a big tourist attraction and is on October 11 this year. It's fantastic for local business, hotels, clubs and shops," Mr Jones said.

"We are organizing traffic arrangements at Thursday (June 25) council meeting and so pleased there is new funding.’’

Event Secretary Skye Rush said starring big names is a big attraction.

‘’Yes, we are very excited about the funding over the next 3 years. It’s really going to help fund our still very young event.’’

Under the Gums attracts large crowds to Gilgandra. IMAGE SUPPLIED

Gilgandra Shire Council has been allocated $350,000 for the Streets of Colour event during the Goin' to Gil Weekend.

The events run from October 4 to 6.and this year features iconic music star Daryl Braithwaite.

Gilgandra council’s Manager Strategy and Community, Economic Development Kathryn Larkin says new funding for ''Under The Gums and Goin’ to Gil will help the event spread to Tooraweenah and Armatree.

She credits working with Coonamble and Warrumbungle councils for the big jump in additional money.

‘’The event has boosted the local economy by $900,000 in recent times and we are excited its three year funding and creates free events in Gilgandra, Tooraweenah and Armatree," she said.

"Under the Gums'' has been on for 5 years and 'Going to Gil' is driven by community and is now in its second year bringing former residents home.''

''It supports business over the two days and the lead up and our data says it's worth $142 per person per night to our local economy and there is overflow to other towns.

''The councils are working together and have developed a big Inti nary of activities.''

 Both the Warrumbungle Bloomfes and Coonamble's Vision and Splendid will also receive $350,000 to organise their events.

The Open Streets Program is part of the Government’s wider agenda to address cost-of living and build better, more vibrant communities across NSW.

Duty MLC for Barwon, Stephen Lawrence said: “We live in the best state in the world – people deserve to get out and about in their own communities and have a good time in a cost-friendly way.

“The last round of spectacular Open Streets events across NSW attracted over a million people – supporting local jobs, businesses and economies.

“I can’t wait to see our regional cities and towns activate this crucial funding to deliver free, safe and fun public spaces for their communities.”