The chooks will be racing right in the middle of Mayne Street, straight after the big parade on Saturday at 11am. 

Residents are being invited to get in on the action, with events for mothers and sons, daughters and dads, challenge races, relays and novelties.

As well as the honour of winning the title of  Gulgong’s champion chook racer, it will be lot of fun, with a chance to win a prize. 

Call into Raine & Horne in Gulgong for more information and to register for the races. 

The chook races are a part of a busy Back to Gulgong program, which will bring past and present residents together to celebrate everything Gulgong on October 5 and 6. 

Mayne and Herbert Streets will be closed on Saturday for the street parade, classic car display, market stalls, food and drinks, face painting, games, photography and art exhibitions. 

Live entertainment will be by local artists Nick Wall, Richie Gudgeon, Ray Hall, Marcus McLennan, Cal Makin and Fig Jam Band with Richard Lawson. 

A Back to Gulgong single CD has been written and professionally produced by local musician Ray Hall  to celebrate the reunion, titled Welcome back to Gulgong. 

The Gulgong Museum will have their research department manned on Saturday and  Sunday for those wishing to bring along old photos to be scanned into the museum  photo data base or simply to impart any knowledge that they may have on photos  displayed requiring identification.

For those who register, there will be a Meet and Greet in the Prince of Wales Opera House from 3pm to 4.30pm on Saturday. 

This will be an opportunity to  catch up with old friends, enjoy light  refreshments and share the hundreds of photos on  loan from the Gulgong Pioneers Museum, including a large number of photographs from the Holtermann Collection.

A professional photographer will be available to make visitors’ memories of the day  extra special.

Come to the Gulgong pool on  Saturday afternoon from 5pm to  celebrate  the pool’s 50th anniversary with a free sausage sizzle and fun activities. 

This is also a chance to see the renovations to the pool, to be officially opened at 5.30pm. 

Admission to the pool will be free on Saturday. 

On Saturday evening at 8 pm in the Prince of Wales Opera  House (“The Old Roxy”), the Gulgong Music and Drama  Society (MADS) will be screening Between Wars, a movie made in Gulgong. Admission is a gold  coin donation. 

On Sunday from 11am, Gulgong Turf Club will be hosting camel races, with lots of family fun. 

There’ll be running races with cash prizes for the adults and fun goodies for the children’s races.

Make the most of your Gulgong visit:

Registration for the Back to Gulgong weekend is voluntary and many events are free.  However, $15 adult registration will get you: 

- Entry into the official opening of the inaugural Back to Gulgong Weekend Festival (Meet and Greet and Photography Exhibition); 

- Automatic entry into the draw for two return airfares from Mudgee to Sydney and the opening of the pool upgrades by a local councillor; 

- A Back to Gulgong wrist band, a Gulgong bumper sticker and 40-page Gulgong Historical Walk Book; 

- Event guide, including discount vouchers for local businesses and cafes; 

- Free coffee voucher for use in local cafes. 

A child’s pass is free.  

The $15 registration fee will assist with the costs of hosting the festival. 

To register go to www.backtogulgong.com.au or you can pay your registration at the Gulgong Post Office or at the Prince of Wales Opera House on the day.