BREASTSCREEN VAN

Here until Thursday, 14 August

The BreastScreen mobile van returns to Parkes, in the Little Theatre car park on the corner of Dalton Street and Bogan Street, for two months. Hours of operation will be 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday during this time. Take advantage of the opportunity and get yourself checked. Call 13 20 50 to book an appointment or visit the website breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

GOOD OLD DAYS OF ROCK 'N' ROLL TOUR

4-6 July

The pioneers of the Australian rock 'n' roll era have joined together in concert for the first time in 60 years and additional tour dates have been announced to bring it out to the Central West. The Good Old Days of Rock 'n' Roll is an exciting and memory-riddled show and it's hitting stages in Orange, Dubbo and Bathurst. From television shows including Johnny O’Keefe’s 'Six O'Clock Rock' and Brian Henderson’s 'Bandstand', so many talented performers and recording stars were born. This is not a tribute concert, this is the real deal. Audiences will re-live all the fabulous original hits from the hitmakers themselves - Little Pattie, Digger Revell, Jade Hurley, Dinah Lee and Lucky Starr. Shows are at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on Friday, 4 July, 2pm, Orange Civic Theatre on Saturday, 5 July, 2pm, and Dubbo Regional Theatre on Sunday, 6 July, 2pm.

LADIES DAY

Saturday, 5 July

Dust off your denim, sparkle up those diamonds and join the Parkes Boars Rugby Union Club for the most glamourous event of the season - Ladies Day! Celebrate the fierce and fabulous women of the Parkes Rugby Union Club with live music, fast footy, canapés, speciality drinks and more. This year's theme is denim and diamonds so spice up your jeans with a little sparkle and dazzle everyone with your dressed-up denim! Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children and are available via at 123tix.com.au.

NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS AT PARKES LIBRARY

7-11 July

The Parkes Shire Library will be celebrating NAIDOC Week in the first week of the school holidays in the Marramarra Makerspace Studio. Over five days they'll be running a free mini film festival, screening three films on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday; an art workshop with Wiradjuri artist Irene Ridgeway on the Tuesday (for ages 8-14); and a community weaving session, which is a Wiradjuri tradition, with Ronda Sharpe. Call 6861 2309 for bookings and info.

CIRCUS WORKSHOP

Monday, 7 July

Join a fun-filled two-hour circus workshop at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre on Monday, 7 July from 10am. The session includes a Mini Circus Skills Show, a 90-minute hands-on skills workshop, and a chance to show off and tell what you’ve learned. From juggling to balancing tricks, it’s perfect for beginners and budding performers. Only 30 spots available, register online through Forbes Shire Council forbes.nsw.gov.au

NATIONS OF ORIGIN COMMUNITY EVENT

Tuesday, 8 July

The Parkes PCYC will be hosting its very first Nations of Origin community event to support their teams who will be competing in the original and main Nations of Origin tournament in Sydney a week later between 14-17 July. The PCYC wants to bring some of the excitement to the community so everyone can be a part of it. Between 11am and 2pm at Pioneer Oval, there will be some cultural fun with traditional dancing and tasty food, kids activities, gymnastics performance and watch our Under 16 Girls and Boys play Cowra in trial games. This event is for everyone.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT LIBRARY

14-18 July

There's plenty for the kids to do at the Parkes Shire Library in the second week of the school holidays. The week will kick-off with an art workshop in the Marramarra Makerspace for Years 3-8 on the Monday; an exciting junior campfire lock-in (5pm-7pm) for Years 3-6 involving games and a classic camp dinner on Tuesday; crazy critters for Years K-2 on Thursday; and a free youth movie night with popcorn and dinner for Years 7-12 on Friday. Call 6861 2309 for bookings and info.

ANNUAL KNIT AND NATTER

Thursday, 17 July

Craft Corner invites all knitters and crocheters to their annual Knit and Natter in support of "Wrap with Love". Wrap with Love supplies wraps, rugs and other warm items for distribution to needy people and people suffering the effects of cold and trauma in Australia and worldwide. Wrap with Love is run entirely by volunteers and receives no government funding, so Parkes Craft Corner will be helping out by knitting and crocheting squares for donation. Everyone is welcome.

COWRA WINE SHOW PUBLIC TASTING

Saturday, July 19

Test your wine tasting skills against expert judges and sample some of the best wines from Australia’s top wine-growing regions. The wine judges take a week to sniff, taste and spit their way through over 900 wines during the Cowra Wine Show and Cowra Winter Wanderlust celebrations. Takes place at the Cowra Showground Pavillion, 6pm-9pm. Tickets $60.

CANOWINDRA ESKY BALL

Friday, July 25

Grab your group, pack the esky and help us raise some money for the show society to improve the annual show and maintain/ improve the facilities for years to come. Grazing boxes to start followed by delicious hot food from the Fat Parcel Food Van. K’nOath will having you rocking the night away. From 5:30pm-11:30pm. Tickets are $80.

PARKES SHIRE CONCERT BAND 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Sunday, 27 July

The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) is turning 30 and they're celebrating it with a momentous anniversary concert. The weekend of 26 and 27 July is not one to miss and it's free. The historic Fire & Rescue NSW Band and Orange Regional Conservatorium Wind Ensemble are the featured guests. PSCB will collaborate with nearby regional bands in Forbes, Orange, Griffith, Wellington and others in a workshop on the Saturday. The community concert will feature a total of 120 musicians performing - this also includes appearances from Subtonic Fusion and Divermento from Orange. It all gets underwBay at 2pm on 27 July in the Starlight Lounge of the Parkes Services Club.

CENTRAL WEST BIRD EXPO

Saturday, 2 August

The annual Central West Bird Show will be at the Forbes Showground. Public entry is $2 per person with kids under 12 free. The bird sale is open to the public from 10am to 2pm unless sold out prior. Bird entry is $1 per bird with a minimum $10 entry fee and $3 per bird sellers fee. There will be trade stalls, food vans, raffles, education stands and more on the day.

FRONTLINE BALL 2025

Saturday, 30 August

Tickets are on sale now! The Frontline Services Ball has evolved since it all began in 2022 and it continues to celebrate our local heroes while raising funds to support local Initiatives. The Frontline Ball is coordinated by a working party which includes representatives from Evolution Northparkes Operations, Ronald McDonald House Charities Central West the emergency service groups, local government representatives and external consultants. In 2025 the Frontline Ball is raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities Central West, and Birds in the Bush, supporting domestic violence awareness in rural communities. This event will be a fabulous night, with band 'Wobbly Boot' performing on the night. Get your tickets now before they sell out via 123Tix.

SHOW 'N' SHINE

Saturday, 18 October

Save the date! Central West Car Club will be holding their annual Show 'n' Shine on 18 October from 9am to 3pm at Pioneer Oval. Entry is a gold coin donation with all proceeds going to charity. This year's feature vehicle is coupes.

Want to add to this list? Email mblackstone@midwestmedia.com.au