While the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival will see a host of new events this year, one old favourite will return on Sunday.
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For 25 years, lovers of Banjo Paterson’s poetry have celebrated his birthday with a cooked breakfast on Ophir Road.
On February 17, the wordsmiths and poem appreciators will gather again in Banjo Paterson Park for eggs, bacon, poetry readings, live music and birthday cake.
History is not about dates to me – it’s about people
- Elizabeth Griffin
The Rotary Club of Orange will serve up a barbecue breakfast from 7.30-9.30am.
Having organised the event since its inauguration, Elizabeth Griffin said it was a chance to experience a little bit of history, poetry and music in the beautiful surrounds of the park.
“Out under the old oak trees, it’s nice and shady down there – some mornings it’s really quite magical,” she said.
Miss Griffin said she was introduced to Banjo Paterson’s poetry as a child and she had been reading and reciting it ever since.
“I love his poetry. I learned it at school and it all grew from there,” she said.
The self-described history buff said she would give a talk to provide the crowds with a bit of background on the famous writer, in a location just blocks from where he was born.
“History is not about dates to me – it’s about people,” she said.
Breakfast with Banjo will be one of many poetry events to take place between February 17-24 for the sixth annual Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival.
The festival will include a poetry brawl, bush poetry, school performances, professional entertainers, markets, history and barbecues throughout the eight days.
Festival chairman Murray Spicer said this year’s edition would build on Orange’s reputation as a wine and food destination, with a number of signature events highlighting regional produce.
One of the festival highlights, the Banjo Paterson Festival Night Market at Robertson Park, is expected to attract more than 30 stallholders with live music and poetry on February 22.
The Banjo Paterson Festival Dinner in Molong is a night of poetry, with a three course dinner and dancing at Molong's Village Green on February 23.
There will also be live music by Cecelia Rochelli and Trouble With Johnny Band, as well as a poetry performance by Marco Gliori.
The same weekend, the Family Day Market at Emmaville Cottage will include kids’ activities, entertainment and an open mic for poetry on February 24 in the Orange Botanic Gardens precinct.
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