In October, the city that saved Queensland pays homage to James Nash, the man who is credited with finding the first gold in Gympie on October 16, 1867.Since then the town has become famous and has celebrated annually for this golden reason.

The history of the Gold Rush Festival began in 1967, when the town celebrated the centenary of James Nash’s golden strike and the ensuing establishment of the town of Gympie.

Huge crowds turned out to see the festival, initial success and public support for it prompted organisers to begin planning a regular event to commemorate the town’s golden past.

The Gold Rush Festival has become Gympie’s premier annual event.

Prior to the 1967 centenary celebrations, birthday celebrations were held in 1927 for the 60 year and in 1947 for the 80 year anniversary.

A feature of the birthday celebrations prior to 1967 was the Pioneer Dinners, which were held most for the town’s pioneers and their descendants.

It was not until 1973, six years after the festival officially got under way, that celebrations included a daytime float parade.

Since then, the festival has grown into a week of diverse events and has come to incorporate arts, culture, history and live performances.

Two special festivals, the 1988 festival, which was recognised as a special bicentennial event and the 1992 Festival, which played a big part in the City of Gympie have added to the rich history of celebrations.

The aim of the Festival is to provide a community celebration whilst promoting the region. Celebrations kick off on October 7^th with the Gold Rush Art show which opens at the Gympie Regional Gallery. The official opening of the Gold Rush Festival, appointment of the Gold Rush Ambassadors and the cutting of the celebration cake will be on Saturday 10^th of October with a black and white Masquerade ball at the Civic Centre at 6.30pm.

The Gympie Gold Rush Festival Family Gold Panning Fun Day will be held on the Saturday 10^th and Sunday, 11^th of October at The Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum. There will only be a token $1 entry fee to pan for gold for children and $5.00 per adult. The total amount of gold that can be found is $1,000 in value. That should be a great incentive for kids and parents to enter.

There will be a church service on Sunday 11^th October at the Civic Centre from 6.30pm. The literary awards will be at the Gympie Regional Library Services.

On Tuesday 13^th October is James Nash Day, wine and cheese function ay Gympie Regional Gallery at 5pm.

Anybody who hasn’t had the chance to ride the Valley Rattler can board the historic train in Gympie for a trip to Imbil on Wednesday 14^th of October. The train will shuttle back and forth all day. The Great Art Debate will take place on Wednesday 14^th of October at the Gympie Regional Gallery at 7.30pm and will be call “Old age is a work of art”.

Goldfields plaza will join in the celebrations on Thursday 15^th of October and Friday 16^th of October with the Gold Rush Gem Fest all day. If you want to relax and listen to the talents of Gympie then the Lady Mayoress Gold Rush concert will be on Thursday night 16^th October at the Civic Centre.

Youth and Community Development Unit present Gympie Gold Rush Outdoor screening of “Bolt at Memorial Park Gympie at 7pm bring your chair and blanket and relax watching the movie.

Also we have the opening of the Heritage Zig Zag Path Garden Calton Hill Park Young Street Gympie at 10am afterward morning tea at Panin’s Cafe Cullinane’s Plaza Gympie.

This year is the 38^th festival and the theme is “In the Beginning”, with the Cornett’s IGA Float Parade in Mary Street on Saturday 17^th October starting at 2.30pm. Adored by Cooloola Families, the IGA Float Parade delights the community each year with spectacular Floats. It is a great opportunity for schools, community organisations, and regional businesses to have fun on the day and after the parade join the celebrations at Nelson Reserve with the Phoenix Band and Sneeky Pete . We will also have amusements for Kids and Stalls.

There’s something for everyone in the extensive program and there’s no better place to be than in Gympie for that week.

If you need more information call Francoise Gregory on 0425219536 or visit the email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .