Fish Festival returns to Narrandera

[Member]

Fish Festival returns to Narrandera – exhibitors welcome

In an effort to give back to the Riverina community and also celebrate its 50th birthday, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Narrandera Fisheries Centre is holding another free Fish Festival later this year and it’s now calling on exhibitors who would like to participate.

NSW DPI research scientist and centre director, Dr Lee Baumgartner, said the Centre was now calling for Expressions of Interest from local businesses and organisations within the Riverina who have an interest in fish, fishing, outdoors, environmental education or aquatic ecology to set up exhibits at the event.

He said the event would be held on Saturday 20 October and had received overwhelming community support since the inaugural event in 2010.

“More than 4000 people attended and we hope the Fish Festival will be even bigger and better this year with new exhibits and a wider range of activities,” Dr Baumgartner said.

He said the Fish Festival would celebrate the environmental, recreational and social values of fish to people in inland Australia.

“The Narrandera Fisheries Centre remains the only inland fish research station in the Murray Darling Basin and is a pivotal source of research and hatchery production for native fish,” Dr Baumgartner said.

“Fishing is an extremely popular pastime for many people in NSW and the research station had been well supported by many businesses and people throughout its existence.

“The day will be aimed at people from all ages, backgrounds and walks of life and contain a mix of entertainment and education to create a fun day for all.”

Activities include fishing competitions, touch tank, casting lessons, research demonstrations, hatchery tours, site tours, guest speaker presentations, carnival rides, fish feeding demonstrations, live animal displays and kids’ activities.

Dr Baumgartner said negotiations were again underway for a well-known celebrity chef to undertake cooking demonstrations of local freshwater fish throughout the event.

Private exhibitors will be charged $50 for a site, which will help keep the entry fee free for the public. The exhibit fee will be waived for registered charities.

Anyone wishing to exhibit on the day or becoming a major sponsor are encouraged to contact the Narrandera Fisheries Centre on (02) 6958 8200 to obtain an Expression of Interest form. Expressions of Interest close on 30 March.