Forbes is preparing to be overrun with former residents as people return to their home town for the Back to Forbes weekend.
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On the Australia Day long weekend, the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club will host the All Roads Lead Back to Forbes Reunion.
Festivities begin at 5pm on Friday, January 26, with a meet and greet along with a raffle before the main event on Saturday – the Back to Forbes Reunion.
The Back to Forbes weekend finishes on Sunday January 28 with a barbecue brunch on the deck and a sports memorabilia auction.
A cover charge of $25 will be in place for the main event on Saturday night which covers the cost of finger food throughout the night and live entertainment.
Any extra proceeds from the cover charge will be donated to local charity organisation Can Assist, said Forbes Sport and Recreation Club Manager Norm Cook.
While the headline act is still kept under wraps, music from the 60s, 70s and 80s will feature with local bands The Echoettes and Rumour Has It giving live performances.
The Echoettes are picking up their instruments to play together at the reunion after a hiatus of more than 40 years.
Back in the 1960s the Echoettes won the Hoadleys Battle of the Sounds two years in a row. They also won the Lions Club Battle of the Bands, then went to Wagga Wagga to compete in the Battle of the Bands where they once again made Forbes proud by taking out first place.
Band member Geoffrey Watson said, “All the boys in the Echoettes are ex-Forbes boys.”
“It was hard getting the boys together for practice as the boys live so far apart these days, and have other commitments.”
Sunday, the final day of the weekend, is a rest and recovery day with a gold coin donation barbecue brunch on the deck at 11am.
The proceeds of the barbecue will also be donated to charity organisation Can Assist.
Following the brunch a sports memorabilia auction and live entertainment from DJ Michael Brown will start at 2pm with all proceeds going to Can Assist.
Mr Cook said the reunion was last held in 2016 and was a great success, attracting a large turnout.
Mr Cook hopes that this reunion will be just as successful and expects a similar turnout for this year.
Tickets for the Reunion can be be bought on the day at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club or pre-ordered by calling the Club on 6852 1499.
Mr Cook said the whole weekend should have a relaxed atmosphere.
Back to Forbes hats and stubby holders will be on sale on Friday and all are welcome to attend the celebrations.