Plenty of action at annual Kimbell Games Day
It’s been going for almost 50 years and organisers and competitors didn’t let a bit of wild weather stop the fun at the annual Kimbell Games Day.
Despite a huge downpour of rain, thunder and lightning over the small Mackenzie hamlet on Saturday afternoon, half-an-hour later the sun was back out and competitors were taking part in an action-packed day of oldfashioned country fun behind the Silverstream Hotel.
Included in the afternoon’s fun was sheaf-tossing for men and women, pillow fighting, barrelrolling contests and an egg toss.
Kimbell Games Day spokeswoman Sue Kerr said the day was a chance for the community to get together and enjoy mostly free entertainment.
‘‘We think it’s possibly the 50th next year,’’ Kerr said.
‘‘The idea of the day is to get all the locals all together on a day that isn’t going to cost a fortune with most events either free, or $2.’’
Any money that is taken on the day, always held on January 2, is donated to organisations in the area, she said.
Kerr said while attendance numbers were down slightly on previous years, probably because of the weather, there had also been good support from out-oftowners.
‘‘We don’t advertise hugely before the event so it’s usually word-of-mouth.
‘‘I think the weather may have turned a few people off this year, but in the end we were really lucky with the weather.’’
There was also the opportunity to walk along the riverbed from Fairlie to Kimbell on the day, she said. Kerr said a ‘‘good group of people’’ helped organise the event, with everyone given jobs and the day ‘‘just falling into place’’.
An after function at the Silverstream Hotel was also wellsupported, owner Lockie Broadfoot said.
‘‘We put on a band afterwards and people came and had a meal,’’ Broadfoot said.
‘‘It’s a big community event and a very enjoyable day.’’