The 2020 Sculptures by the Bush competition was thwarted by two events out of the organisers control.
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The first was the drought which limited the amount of hay bales available, the second was COVID-19 and the limits placed on travel just when the competition was scheduled to happen.
Postponed to July the event was still a success with the Farm Art in particular showing a strong turnout.
Scheduled for the April School holidays from Thursday, April 1 to Sunday, April 18, this year there's plenty of hay and COVID seems to be under control, so there's a real enthusiasm building for the event.
Blayney Shire Councillor David Somervaille said 2020 was a challenging year but the participation of residents entering and travellers visiting the region was incredible.
"Last year had almost 5,000 views of the digital map with visitors and locals travelling around the area to see the entries," Cr Somervaille said.
"This event is a great opportunity for local residents to get involved, have a bit of fun putting the artworks together and even win some prizes."
We would love to see residents work together towards creating routes between the villages.
- Blayney Shire Councillor David Somervaille
There are three categories again this year, Hay Bales, Farm Art and Scarecrows, with $300 first prize, $200 for second and $100 for third prize in the Farm Art and Hay Bales challenges and $100, $75 and $50 for the top three in the Scarecrow Challenge.
This year visitor numbers are sure to be huge and to enhance their experience Cr Somervaille would like to see the Blayney's villages all linked with artworks.
"We would love to see residents work together towards creating routes between the villages by groups of neighbouring residents all getting involved together," he said.
In 2020 Sally Ryan and her sons Lachlan and William took on the Scarecrow challenge with 'Fairest one of all' taking out the first prize, and this year they're looking for greater glories.
"The boys have come up with the design for this year's Farm Bale Challenge where they will use five round bales for their designed which is based on a popular video game," she said.
The Sculptures by the Bush competition takes place within the Blayney Shire which stretches from Hobby's Yards in the east to Cadia in the west and from Millthorpe to Lyndhurst.
Entries close on Sunday 28 March with judging on Thursday April 1.
One of the most popular activities is the people's choice award which will be announced on Monday April 12.
Application forms can be found at https://forms.gle/gFzNXvZdHuRDw7a57
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