Celebrate our heritage

Preparations gearing up for inaugural Lockyer Valley Heritage Festival

History, heritage and horses will be celebrated and enjoyed when the inaugural Lockyer Valley Heritage Festival comes to life.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council recently announced the Laidley Heritage Weekend and the Gatton Heavy Horse Field Days would this year become the Lockyer Valley Heritage Festival and with just days to go, preparations are now in full swing.

Lockyer Valley Mayor and Tourism and Events Portfolio Councillor, Tanya Milligan said the Festival would be held at various locations in both Gatton and Laidley across the weekend of May 4 and 5.Das Neumann Haus, the Gatton Showgrounds and the Laidley Pioneer Village and Museum will all be a hive of activity across the weekend.Come along to the Mulgowie Hall on Saturday morning for the Mulgowie Farmers' Market and stock up on your local fresh produce, arts and crafts. The Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Field Days are sure to once again draw crowds from across the region and Australia-wide, as they do each year.Enjoy working exhibitions and displays of heavy horses in action, including decorated harness displays, working team ploughing, obstacle courses and ridden events like dressage, Mayor Milligan said.Here's a run-down of what's happening and when across the weekend:Gatton Heavy Horse Field Days (Gatton Showgrounds)

• Saturday and Sunday, 8am - 4pm (entry fee applies)
• Ploughing and Farrier Competition
• Bullock driving
• Wagon rides, the beautiful Gypsy Cobs and much more
• Markets, food, drinks and displays

Mulgowie Farmers' Markets (Mulgowie Hall)

• Saturday 8am - 11am. Entry is free.
• Offering a colourful, seasonal fresh food experience including local produce, arts and crafts. Remember to bring your bags.

Das Neumann Haus - Laidley

• Saturday and Sunday, 9am - 3pm. Entry is free.
• Kids' Day is Sunday and will include the Larrikin Puppet Show, pony rides, face painting and more.
• Markets
• Music by Vintage Gold
• Free entry to Museum
• Annie's Place Coffee Shop
• Saturday Only: Horse drawn carriage rides

Laidley Pioneer Village & Museum

• Saturday and Sunday, 8am - 3pm. Entry by donation.
• Kids' Day Saturday
• Big Brekky plus all day menu
• Music
• Small Engines and Blacksmith Displays
• Vintage Cars and Farm Machinery
• Colouring Competition
• Sunday Only: Horse drawn carriage rides

We're really looking forward to presenting this new format to the Lockyer Valley community and visitors to the region.The aim of this change is to attract overnight stays in the region and bring the tourism dollar into the community, as well as to attract the day visitor market and, of course, local residents too, Mayor Milligan said.For more information, visit www.luvyalockyer.com.au or search Lockyer Valley Heritage Festival on Facebook.