IT’S an event that brings thousands of visitors to Kalbar, as the little town opens its doors to all and sundry.
A reminder Kalbar Country Day is near, begins when decorated haybales start popping up everywhere.
Run by the Fassifern Lions Club, residents brainstorm what they can turn their haybales into.
The only guideline is it must be something the word ‘hay’ fits creatively into.
This year some include the Gruff-hay-lo, Nell-Hay the Ele-hay-phant, Cook-hay Monster and Ned Kell-Hay.
Lions president Don Young said a minibus would be available to ferry people around on a ‘tiki tour’ so they could have a ‘sticky beak’ at the many creative displays.
The main event is a Kalfresh sponsored carrot throwing competition.
“We have an under 15 section and an open section, they throw the carrot for a chance to win money and a trophy,” he said.
“I think the record stands at about 60 metres.”
The road through town will be closed to traffic from 5am to 3pm.
“Kalbar Country Day is all about family, it is about having some time together and any money you make goes to childhood cancer research,” he said.
“There will be $5 wristbands for kids, and this gives them all day rides.
“This year all children’s entertainment will be in the Salvation Army yard.
“We have a giant slide, a cup and saucer ride, jumping castle, animal and reptile farm, face painting and a balloon artist.”
There will a be a slight change to format this year with market stalls in the first half of the street being in the middle of the road.
“They’ll be on the side in the second half of the street, it’s just a trial this year to see if we can get a bit more room,” he said.
“We will also have around 40 odd new stalls, when applications come in we make sure we don’t have too much of one thing.”
Stalls typically have homemade and locally sourced items like resin art boards, candles, artwork and wall art.
Leather smiths bring their array of leather work including whips, bags, belts, knife pouches and wall hangings.
It starts with a bush poet’s breakfast at 7am.
The first 350 early risers will be rewarded with a bacon and egg roll for a gold coin donation.