Good Ole Hoedown returns to Billinudgel with free live music, pony rides and family fun

HUNDREDS of people are expected to pull on their cowboy hats and boots for the annual Good Ole Hoedown at the Billinudgel Hotel on Saturday August 1.

The free, family-friendly event will feature a full day of live music, with performances by The Honky Tonk Swingers, Mylee Grace, The Swamps, Stay Lucky, and Jack Dylan and The Villains.

Festival-goers can also enjoy drinks from AZTECA Margarita and EARTH Beer Company, free pony rides from 11am to 1pm, line dancing, glitter by Glo Tatts, a photo booth, a hat design workshop with FallenBROKENstreet, and prizes for the best-dressed attendees.

The event is organised and funded by local brands FallenBROKENstreet, Nine Lives Bazaar, AZTECA Margarita, EARTH Beer Company, Zephyr Horses and the Billinudgel Hotel.

“We know it’s a tough economy out there and we just want everyone to be able to enjoy this day,” AZTECA Margarita owner and founder Jessie Jae Rudd said.

Rudd said the event began as an initiative by FallenBROKENstreet more than a decade ago and has continued to grow over the years.

“The idea was to create a place for people who couldn’t make it to the Splendour in the Grass music festival or needed somewhere to kick things off,” she said.

“In 2022 AZTECA Margarita & Nine Lives Bazaar jumped onboard and poured a lot of energy, love and effort into this special day, growing it into the wonderful annual event the Good Ole Hoedown we know and love today.”

Rudd encouraged families wanting to take advantage of the free pony rides to arrive early, as the activity is always popular.

“Carpool if you can as parking fills up,” she said. “The pub said it was their busiest day of the year! Bring rugs if it’s dry – there’s space to spill onto the open grassy area of the pub.”

Nine Lives Bazaar founder Rose Madden said one of the highlights of the event was seeing people of all ages embrace the country theme and come together to enjoy live music.

“The festival scene locally has suffered blow after blow, but the community still wants nothing more than to dust off their dancing shoes for this epic annual event,” she said.

“I love that it just gets bigger and bigger each year. It’s honestly the best day and from the pony rides to the glitter and the tunes, my three young kids look forward to it just as much as I do.”