Big Weekend Is Off And Running

Dozens of young runners took part in an Easter Egg Hunt at last year’s Maidenwell Running Festival

April 18, 2019

There’s a huge weekend of activities coming up in the South Burnett for Easter … from traditional Easter celebrations to horse racing, marathon running, a garden expo and a bullride.

Here’s quick rundown on what’s happening.

There’s absolutely no excuse to be bored!

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Good Friday

Yarraman Walk Of Faith – Most churches around the South Burnett have special services scheduled for today for their individual congregations, but Yarraman’s traditional “Walk Of Faith” is a special ecumenical event for all Christians. The annual event, which rotates between denominations, will begin with a brief service at 10:00am at the Calvary Lutheran Church in McDaniell Street, Yarraman. After this, walkers will process to the rest of Yarraman’s churches (ie. Our Lady Of Dolours Catholic Church, St Philip’s Anglican Church and the Uniting Church) before concluding with tea, coffee and hot cross buns.

Maidenwell Easter Running Festival – Day 1 of the three-day festival for runners and walkers at the Maidenwell Sportsgrounds. There are 12 events over three days, ranging from 400m foot races to a 56km ultra-marathon. Volunteers will be preparing a Good Friday pasta meal at night with a vegetarian option for participants and guests ($15 per head). All profits from the festival go to the Maidenwell Community Group. For more information about individual races, visit the website

Seafood Night – Dimitie’s Restaurant at Wondai has a seafood night … but sorry, it’s all booked out!

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Easter Saturday

Nanango Races – Five race-meeting with the fashion theme “Easter Bonnets and Top Hats”. There’ll be free Easter eggs, face painting and other entertainment for children plus live music for adults. Race 1 jumps at 1:30pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for pensioners (under 16s free).

Maidenwell Running Festival – Day 2 of the three-day festival for runners and walkers at the Maidenwell Sportsgrounds. Events start today at 6:00am. At night, the Maidenwell Hotel will have a pig-on-a-spit dinner plus live music. All profits from the festival will go to the Maidenwell Community Group. For more information about individual races, visit the website

Wondai Garden Expo – Day 1 of the massive two-day Autumn Garden Expo at the Wondai Sportsground. Hundreds of stalls. Open 8:00am to 4:30pm. Entry is $5.00 for adults or $8.00 for a two-day pass (under 15s free).

Wondai Orchid Show – There’ll be explosion of exotic flowers at the Wondai Diggers Club during the South Burnett Orchid Society’s annual show from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Plants will also be available for sale. Entry is $3.00.

Proston Regatta – This wacky “boat” race is back for 2019 with teams from a number of local not-for-profit organisations competing for glory (and prizes). There’ll also be “boats” for hire for community fun and other games for the public to enjoy and have the chance to win great prizes. There’s a lucky dip Treasure Chest and Best Costume prize. The fun starts at 10:00am.

Proston Easter Parade – The Proston QCWA’s popular Easter Parade is on again in Blake Street, Proston. The parade will start about 10:00am near the Baptist Church and head on down to the QCWA Rooms in Railway Park. There’ll be prizes for Best Decorated Float, Best Decorated Bicycle and Best Fancy Dress costume. Cost to enter the parade is $2 for a large float, 50 cents for a small float and $5 for a stall in Railway Park. An Easter Hat Parade will be in the park at 11:00am.

Easter In The Park – A morning of fun for the whole family in Memorial Park, Kingaroy, from 8:30am to noon. There’ll be raffles, Easter Egg hunts, food, crafts, games and the Easter Bunny. Organised by South Burnett Flight Savers, a not-for-profit group which raises funds for the RACQ LifeFlight rescue helicopters.

Big Booie Barbecue – Crane Wines will be hosting their popular, annual Big Booie Easter BBQ from 10:00am to 4:00pm with burgers, platters and live music.

Kumbia Campdraft – Day 1 of the two-day Kumbia Campdraft held at the Kumbia Sportsgrounds. Action starts at 6:00am and entry is free for spectators.

POSTPONED TO SUNDAY Movie Night – The Nanango Panthers soccer club will be hosting a free outdoor movie, “How To Train Your Dragon III – The Hidden World” (PG) at the Burnett Street sports fields in Nanango from 5:00pm (movie starts at 6:00pm). The canteen will also be open and will be offering $7 meals, snacks and soft drinks. BYO blanket or chair.

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Easter Sunday

Wondai Garden Expo – Day 2 of the massive two-day Autumn Garden Expo at the Wondai Sportsground. Hundreds of stalls. Open 8:00am to 1:00pm. Entry is $5.00 for adults or $8.00 for a two-day pass (under 15s free).

Maidenwell Running Festival – Day 3 of the three-day festival for runners and walkers at the Maidenwell Sportsgrounds. Events start today at 6:00am. At night, there will be a barbecue-style meal available at the Maidenwell Hotel in conjunction with the bull ride. All profits from the festival will go to the Maidenwell Community Group. For more information about individual races, visit the website

Maidenwell Bull Ride – This National Rodeo Association event at the Maidenwell Hotel is a major fundraiser for the Tanduringie State School P&C. Gates open at 4:30pm. There’ll also be live music and free camping. Action starts at 6:00pm.

Ringsfield House – Ringsfield has a fun-packed morning planned but bookings are essential. Phone (07) 4163-3345. There will be kids’ activities from 9:00am to noon, including an Easter Egg hunt at 10:30am ($10), jumping castle ($4), face painting ($4 with funds donated to the All Inclusive Butter Factory Park project) and a sausage sizzle from 11:00am. Easter platters for two are available for $25.

Big Booie Barbecue – Crane Wines will be hosting their popular, annual Big Booie Easter BBQ from 10:00am to 4:00pm with burgers, platters and live music.

Kumbia Campdraft – Day 2 of the two-day Kumbia Campdraft held at the Kumbia Sportsgrounds. Action starts at 6:00am and entry is free for spectators.

Moffatdale Boutique Markets – Yallakool Caravan Park at Bjelke-Petersen Dam (in conjunction with Raukawa Cottage) will be hosting artisan market stalls from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Easter Sunday Fun Day – Kingsley Grove Estate will have a family fun day at their cellar door and vineyard on Stuart Valley Drive, near Kingaroy, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. There will be an Easter Egg hunt in the vineyard (BYO baskets), facepainting for the children and selection of wood-fired pizzas for lunch (noon to 2:00pm). Tickets are $25 per adult, children 10-17 years $15, and 0-9 years $5. Ticket includes egg hunt, lunch, and facepainting.

Movie Night – The Nanango Panthers soccer club will be hosting a free outdoor movie, “How To Train Your Dragon III – The Hidden World” (PG) at the Burnett Street sports fields in Nanango from 5:00pm (movie starts at 6:00pm). The canteen will also be open and will be offering $7 meals, snacks and soft drinks. BYO blanket or chair.