AFTER a two-year split, Mt Garnet’s famous race and rodeo event returns this year to the Labour Day public holiday weekend in May.
The event was forced to split in 2014 when the LNP Government moved the holiday to October to spread out the state’s public holidays across the year.
The Labour Government announced last year it would return the day to its traditional date of the first Monday in May, paving the way for both events to be held on the same weekend as they were for decades.
The Mt Garnet Race and Rodeo weekend has been a permanent must-do event on the far north’s social calendar for many years and attracts hundreds of racegoers and families.
A new Mt Garnet Turf Club committee was elected in December last year, with Warren Butler as president, Gill Graham as secretary and Clare Cupitt as treasurer.
Due to the short notice of its weekend return, Racing Queensland has only been able to provide one race day – rather than the two its traditionally hosted – which will take place on Saturday 30 April.
Planning is underway for a seven-race program. A non-registered sprint race will also be held.
The committee is hoping to run the popular calcutta on the Friday night before the race day along with the cabaret on Saturday night.
The Mt Garnet Rodeo will be held on Sunday (1 May).
The turf club is looking for sponsors to support the event this year. Packages are available by contacting the club at mtgarnetturfclub@gmail.com
A social night is being held on Saturday (9 January) at the Mt Garnet Turf Club hall from 6.30pm. Meals are available and all monies raised will go to the turf club.