Then the 2012 Ben Hall Festival committee wants you to be the face of the new festival.

The chosen Ben Hall will become the ambassador for the festival and will be included in advertising and promotional events while carrying out the duties of Ben Hall during the much anticipated event. After a break this year the Ben Hall Festival will be back in 2012 and is set to return on Saturday, May 5 at Victoria Park.

“It will be a country fair type of atmosphere but there will be a slant on Ben Hall and bushrangers,” committee member Kerry Neaylon said.

The festival was instigated by former Forbes Shire Council Marketing Manager Misty Kath and was almost disbanded in February this year following a review of its financial viability.

The 2009 and 2010 festivals, which were both hailed as successes at the time, incurred significant financial losses.

In February this year Mayor of Forbes Shire Council Phyllis Miller said the festival needed to be supported by the community for it to continue and called two public meetings to gauge community response.

Lack of numbers at the first meeting almost signalled the end of the festival, but the second meeting held in March led to the formation of a committee of community representatives.

“The first week of May is a more significant date with the Ben Hall story and because Heritage Week is held in May, the committees have come together,” Ms Neaylon said.

Looking to the revamped festival Ms Neaylon said the Trial of Ben Hall will also be returning along with many other much loved features.

The next meeting for the Ben Hall Festival committee is on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Council Chambers at 5.30pm.