LIVE MUSIC

ALL WEEKEND

We’ve got live music covered! From Friday night through to Sunday afternoon enjoy music by Hannah Rose, Trevor Night, Country Slingers, Open Season Band, Nashville Road Country Band,  Wanita, David Lee and the contestants in the Kicking Up Dust Talent Quest.  And entry to the event is FREE thanks to our sponsor the Community Bank Gympie District.

BARREL RACING

Friday 10 April 2026

It’s fast, furious and fun! Watch the girls and guys battle it out to see who’s fastest around those three drums under lights in the indoor arena on Friday night.

FRIDAY NIGHT SPIT ROAST DINNER

Friday 10 April 2026

Join us for a Spit Roast dinner to be served undercover at the Campdraft Bar from 6.00pm on Friday 10 April 2026. There’ll be a selection of meat cooked onsite and served fresh. Find out MORE

DOG HIGH JUMP

10 April 2026 - 5.00pm - Campdraft Arena Precinct

The Dog High Jump is open to all breeds of dog, big & small. Dog safety is an important consideration, so be assured we’ll look after your furry friend. Entry is FREE, and can be made online.

Registration prior to the event is mandatory and a waiver form must be completed and submitted.

There will be a $150 cash prize for the winner plus ribbons for placegetters.

WORKING DOG DEMONSTRATION

Saturday 11 April 2026 - Indoor Arena

If you enjoy ‘Muster Dogs’ you’ll be fascinated to see the real thing in action. Watch and learn how these highly trained dogs work for their handler and make the job look easy! 

ROPING DEMONSTRATION

Saturday 11 April 2026 - Indoor Arena

Kilkivan Performance Horse Association will be giving a roping demonstration from horseback and on the ground. Get involved and test your skill at swinging a lariat! 

MECHANICAL BULL

Saturday 11 April 2026 - Campdraft Bar

Test your rodeo skills on the mechanical bull and challenge your friends to go the 8 seconds! Set up near the Campdraft Bar Saturday night.

STREET MARKETS

Saturday 11 April 2026 - Main Street Kilkivan

This year, the street markets will be held in the Lion’s Park in the main street of Kilkivan from 10am to 4pm.
The markets are being coordinated by the Kilkivan Community Garden & Railway Markets Project Inc. 
 
Culminating in the KGHR iconic main street parade at 4pm.
 

DROVERS CAMP-OVEN COOK-OFF

Saturday 11 April 2026

Inspired by the cooks who supported the drovers in days gone by, we’ve invited camp oven cooks to compete in a cook-off .  Watch the cooks as they create their culinery masterpieces and present them before the judges.

HEAVY HORSE DEMONSTRATION

11 April 2026 - Campdraft Arena

Step back in time & enjoy watching how the ‘old timers’ used to work the land with the heavy horse breeds before the tractor became popular. 

COBB & CO COACH RIDES

11 April 2026 - Showgrounds

Experience the thrill of riding in an authentic Cobb & Co coach provided by Davanta Livery Stables on a circuit from the showgrounds. Tickets will be on sale at the grounds on the day.

BUSH POETRY

Sunday 12 April 2026 - Campdraft Bar

Join ‘The Baralaba Bloke’ John Bidgood at the Campdraft Bar for some bush poetry and good yarns.

Enter the bush poetry competition with a chance to win a prize, have your poem performed in front of a live audience. 

KICKING UP DUST - YOUTH TALENT QUEST

Sunday 12 April 2026 - 9am - 11am

Discover the premier talent of the region’s young performers at the 2026 Kicking Up Dust Youth Talent Quest. 
The contest is open to young people 21 years and under and, if 2025’s line-up was anything to go by, you’ll be amazed and entertained.
The talent quest will be judged by Golden Guitar-winning country musician Josh Arnold. Josh is well known in regional areas for producing the Small Town Culture original songs and videos with schools, including our very own special offering from Kilkivan in 2015.
If you are a performer interested in entering the quest then click here.