Gearing up for milestone Lamb and Potato Festival

Julie Gittoes, Steve Mepham, Chris Bell and Gwyneth Pearson were busy setting up for the festival on Tuesday.

13th Jan 2026

Guyra is set to come alive from January 14th to January 26th with the 2026 Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival getting underway. Organisers are promising a bigger, brighter celebration as the iconic event marks its 40th anniversary.
Held annually, the festival has become one of the New England’s signature events, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond to experience the best of Guyra’s world-class lamb and potatoes, alongside live entertainment and strong community spirit.
Festival president Steve Mepham said reaching the 40-year milestone was a proud moment for the town and everyone who has contributed to the festival’s success over the decades.
“Forty years is a big milestone for the Lamb and Potato Festival,” Mr Mepham said.
“It will start with a special dinner on Tuesday night to celebrate the anniversary and to thank the many people who have been involved over that time.”
A number of new and enhanced features will highlight the anniversary celebrations. The festival pavilion has now been fully lined and the photo montage has been updated to showcase the festival’s history across all 40 years. Adding to the visual appeal, local artist Kay Smith has been commissioned to paint three murals, which will adorn the pavilion throughout the festival.
At its heart, the festival continues to celebrate Guyra’s proud agricultural heritage. The district is renowned for producing premium lamb and high-quality potatoes, and the event provides an opportunity to recognise the dedication of local producers while promoting the region as a key agricultural hub.
Despite a challenging season, Mr Mepham said organisers had worked hard to ensure the festival could go ahead as planned.
“Lamb prices are almost double what they were last year and potatoes are in short supply and have also doubled in price,” he said.
“We only secured our potato supply last week, but we’re committed to keeping any price rises to a minimum for festival goers.”
Visitors can expect a full complement of stallholders, with plenty to browse across food, crafts and local produce. A packed entertainment program will run throughout the festival, with stalls, food and music on offer every day for the 12 days of celebrations. Live performances will feature mainly local artists, with music scheduled for both lunchtime and evening sessions.
Popular attractions are also set to return, including the car show and shine in Guyra’s main street on January 24th, the antique machinery field day on the final weekend, and the much-loved model trains, which will make a comeback this year after a few years away.
The Guyra Craft Group will again be a feature, setting up in the Anglican Hall and opening daily from 9am to 4pm. Devonshire teas will be served each Saturday during the festival, adding another reason for visitors to stop and stay awhile.
Mr Mepham said the festival’s success continues to rely heavily on volunteers, local businesses and community groups. “This festival isn’t just about lamb and potatoes,” he said. “It’s about the people behind it - the farmers, families, businesses and volunteers who make Guyra such a vibrant and welcoming town.”
With its unique blend of agriculture, entertainment and community connection, the 2026 Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival is shaping up to be a fitting celebration of 40 years of tradition in Guyra.

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Gearing up for milestone Lamb and Potato Festival

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