Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell, NSW

Big Henry Lawson Head, Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell

Grenfell. A town of 2000 people located 364 kilometres west of Sydney on the western plains in New South Wales and famous for gold, bushrangers and being the birthplace of poet Henry Lawson. Each June Long Weekend, the township of Grenfell celebrates the Henry Lawson Festival which honours the Australian poet who was born on the Grenfell Goldfields 1867. The influence of Henry Lawson is seen in many of the activities including Poetry on the Boards, the Poetry Slam and the ubiquitous Henry Lawson moustaches which are worn and also used to decorate shops and signage over the Festival weekend. Another Australian tradition, 'Big Things' see a brief addition to their ranks over the course of the Festival with the 'Big Henry Lawson Head' taking pride of place on the Main Street roundabout.

Crowds at the Henry Lawson Festival on historic Main Street, Grenfell

Procession, Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell

Procession, Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell

The Henry Lawson Festival offers activities for all ages including jumping castles, rides and clowns for the kids, art and photography exhibitions for the adults and a myriad of street stalls selling local produce, craft, furniture, wool products, clothing and food. The Henry Lawson Festival has a wood chop competition, fashion parades and a procession down Main Street, Grenfell. This year's theme was 'mateship' and this sums up the festival atmosphere too - locals provide a warm welcome to visitors there to enjoy the fun. 


Events run Friday to Monday every June Long Weekend so for anybody wanting to experience a real country festival, why not pencil in the June Long Weekend next year, come to Grenfell and experience the Henry Lawson Festival for yourself.

Henry Lawson bust, Grenfell

Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell