General News
17 March, 2025
Music and community spirit shine at Creekside festival
The Wide Open Spaces Creekside Festival transformed Beulah into a hub of music, celebration, and community spirit over the weekend.
Organisers welcomed more than 300 regional attendees, including Mildura, Horsham, Warracknabeal, Rainbow, and Hopetoun.
Festival organisers filled the weekend with live music, local markets, and family-friendly activities.
Performers entertained the crowd, food vendors served delicious meals, and fishing enthusiasts competed for top honours.
On Saturday, organisers launched the festival with the Creekside Market, where stallholders displayed local goods.
Remote control truck enthusiasts showcased their skills, and former local-turned-author Jodie Toering engaged children with a special reading.
Brylie Chivell officially opened the live music lineup, setting the stage for a day of energetic performances.
Musicians kept their energy high throughout the day.
Darren Wardle and Jeff Woodward, Gaye Edmonds and Sally, and Brodie Glen and Bro delivered crowd-pleasing sets.
Rhys Crimmins took the stage in the evening with a foot-stomping blues-country performance before Paul Costa and his band closed the night with country-pop hits and beloved classics.
On Sunday, fishing competitors reeled in 118 fish.
Mac Thompson and Nick Toscano from Warracknabeal claimed the biggest fish honours.
Nuts Williams secured victories in the seniors’ longest bag and longest carp categories, while Tom Penny won both junior titles.
Beulah Primary School students, led by Gaye Edmonds, delivered a lively performance, putting a fun twist on Old MacDonald’s.
Jorja Polglase captivated the audience with powerful vocals, and Nicole Matthews followed with a stunning country set.
Organisers kept the excitement going with the highly anticipated duck race.
Lisa Cook secured first place, while Zeb Chivell and Amelia finished second and third. Raffle winners celebrated their prizes, with Keely Rose winning four AFL medallion tickets.
Wayne Sanders took home a Yeti Esky, and Ryan Williams claimed a John Deere header donated by Emmetts.
One of the festival organisers, Barb Moore, described the weekend as a success.
“It was really good. The whole weekend was great,” she said.
“We had rain for the last half an hour on Sunday, but we danced in the rain, and everyone loved it.”
Elias Lanyon praised the mix of original songs and covers as the evening performances continued.
Darren and Jeff returned for a high-energy set, this time with drummer J’sh “Swarve’rve” Warren.
Rain began to fall, but festival-goers embraced the moment, dancing joyfully in the downpour.
Food vendors, including Red Allura, Chris and Anne’s, Blue Harvest, Red Caboose Coffee Van, and Keith’s Amazing Slushy’s, sold out twice, celebrating record sales.
“Food stalls ran out of food twice during the festival, so they were very happy with the sales,” Ms Moore said.
Organisers worked tirelessly to bring the festival to life, ensuring an unforgettable weekend for the Beulah community.
“People were wrapped in the music we had, and they want to return,” Ms Moore said.
The Wide Open Spaces Creekside Festival filled Beulah with music, energy, and celebration, leaving attendees eager to return next year.
