North West Auto Fest is billed as a small festival of everything automotive. This is the new name for the car and motorbike festival called “Art of Aircooled” that ran in conjunction with Frost Over Barraba for three years.
The fourth festival is slated for Saturday 15 October and will involve Volkswagens, Hot Rods, motorcycles, utes, vintage and customs vehicles and more.
Organiser Shaun Faulkner said the name change reflects the broadening of the festival to include more than just vehicles with air-cooled engines. “While the Aircooled element is still a big part of the event we realised that it was limiting the interest from both entrants and spectators. We decided to rename the event and create more interest by inviting all things automotive.”
The event has also moved to a Spring weekend and will not be run with Frost. The event still enjoys the support of the local RSL Club and the nearby grounds will host lots of cars on the Saturday. The team, which includes Peter Dwyer, Desrae Faulkner and Phil Denyer, has lots of attractions planned including markets, hopefully in Queen Street to encourage visitors to shop and explore locally.
The warmer Spring weather will be kinder to drivers in open topped vehicles and will make watching the fireworks display a bit less bracing. Shaun says, “Once again, the guys from Inland Fireworks in Parkes will be in attendance with no doubt another spectacular fireworks display. Dare I say it, these displays are the best fireworks displays you will see in the North West of NSW if not the state.”
Organisers are also hoping that there will be interest from aviators and that Barraba’s airstrip will feature small aircraft. Utes will also be a feature, with ute enthusiast Pat Sherwood organising a special showing and competition for this vehicle type.
“We hope Barraba gets behind North West Auto Fest and people invite family and friends for the weekend. We’ve missed out on some of our special festivals over the past few years and I think it’s time we all get out together and have a bit of fun,” says Shaun.
By Jane Harris
