Taste of Taralga celebrates 200 years since settlement

The celebration weekend will celebrate the arrival of Charles Throsby to the shores of Burra Lake in 1819 during his journey from Mittagong to Bathurst to find a stock route. It was soon after that the land was first settled.

A plaque commemorating Throsby's camp will be unveiled at Burra Lake, it is the first of the official events.

"It will be close to where he actually camped," volunteer Graham Lambert said.

Later on Saturday afternoon another plaque will be unveiled at the Taralga Historical Society. This plaque will commemorate the three Aboriginals who were in Throsby's party. This will be the opening ceremony for the Taste of Taralga, Mr Lambert said.

"Throsby hired them to help him find the place, one was a guide and the other two were interpreters."

Members of the historical society, Mr Lambert and representatives of around 40 businesses and groups are helping to establish an annual event.

Over the October long weekend from Friday to Monday events will be held at various locations around the town, including shearing and spinning and weaving demonstrations, a classic car muster: "we are predicting between 70 and 80 cars, there are three car clubs."

The historical museum and MacArthurs Richlands house will be open.

A country dance will wrap up Saturday's full catalogue it will be held at the Memorial Hall and will feature performers the Old Time Dance Band and The Corbys.

On Sunday, a highlight will be a street parade. The reenactment of the arrival of Throsby's party will enter from the south and follow Orchard Street to the Tarlaga Showground.

"A fantastic addition to the parade will be a team of bullocks coming from Nowra to pull the old bullock wagon that is currently on display in the Historical Society.

"The wagon originally belonged to Bob Clack. It was used to transport wool across to the train at Marulen in the early 1900s. After languishing in a paddock for many years, it was rescued and restored by a member of the historical society."

The parade will be followed by a traditional country fair and picnic, with egg and spoon races, tug-o-war, sack races, and tunnel ball. Teams of eight will compete and organisers are hoping teams from local districts and sporting teams will enter. Everyone is encouraged to dress in period costume and there will be prizes for best-dressed.