A frothin’ line up of breweries, an abundance of mouth-watering smoked and BBQed meat, live music, market stalls and a bit of healthy competition is just some of what you can expect this weekend at The Big Chill Beer and BBQ Festival.
The inaugural event, set to be Armidale’s next big tourist drawcard, will host a range of breweries and butchers from all over the state, along with barbeque cook – offs and some well-known musical acts.
World-renowned musician, Thirsty Merc’s Rai Thistlethwayte is headlining the festival, set to perform on Saturday.
Despite having toured internationally in the past, Rai said he is excited to come to Armidale as it is of close significance to him and his family.
“One of my earliest memories as a gigging muso was a band road trip to Armidale when I was only 16,” he said.
“My mum, who taught me music, studied a doctorate in music history at the University of New England, so Armidale is close to my heart.”
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley said after the tough year everyone has had, the festival will be the perfect way for people from near and far to come and chill out with a frosty beer and a hearty meal.
“Winter is coming, and what better way to mark the occasion than by chilling out with a locally brewed craft beer and a hearty barbeque meal all while enjoying some brilliant entertainment,” Mr Tiley said.
The first edition of the Big Chill and Beer BBQ Festival is set to be one that will cement Armidale as a tourist hotspot and will put the region’s frosty Winter and unique Autumn leaves on display.
Tickets are $25 for the whole weekend, or $15 for Sunday only entry.
Buy tickets online here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-big-chill-armidale-beer-bbq-festival-tickets-143916224301
The event has been supported by State and Federal Governments, Armidale Regional Council, New England High Country and was made possible by an $80,000 funding from the Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund.