It was a grand scheme of the Taralga Historical Society, and members of the community, to mark 200 years since the first European explorer discovered the area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The plan was to involve every local organisation for the bicentenary of Taralga. It hoped to encourage about 3000 visitors to the area, which it surpassed, leaving organisers and guests lost for words at the inaugural festival.
Thousands of people descended on Taralga to celebrate the inaugural Taste of Taralga Festival and 200-years since the first European, Charles Throsby, explored the area.
The explorer was en route to Bathurst.
The visitors - many spanning generations and with an array of history - travelled to the village easily surpassing its usual population of around 500.
On Saturday, around 150 people gathered at the site of the Throsby camp for a commemorative plaque unveiling at Burra Lake.
On May 4, 1919, Throsby and his team, including First Nation explorer and interpreters, camped at the lake on the outskirts of the village. It was nine days after they set out from Sydney.
The official opening at the Taralga Historical Society was officiated by the Upper Lachlan Shire Mayor John Stafford, Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor and emceed by ABC Radio's Phillip Clark.
Mayor John Stafford said the turnout was unbelievable.
"It's 200 years that gets us to where we are now... We love this town, we love the people in it, it's such a special place... I really want to say thank you to the people who put this together."
For the past 18-months, members of the community including Graham Lambert and chairman of the bicentenary committee Peter Davies tirelessly worked on a bicentenary program.
Mr Lambert said the weekend surpassed all their expectations and that the festival will be held annually.
Both the state and federal members praised their efforts.
ALSO READ: Video: Golspie grazier films deadly snakes
Mr Taylor likened Taralga's character to soil-rich basalt land across Australia, including his home town of Nimmitabel.
"It wasn't gold, but it was as gold as gold and that's the resilience of the community," Mr Taylor said.
The pinnacle was the street parade held on Sunday. The theme was Taralga through the ages and it included most local organisations, including the Light Horse Brigade, the Taralga Tigers, the railway, and the Red Cross Branch.
About 3000 people lined Orchard Street to watch the procession to the Taralga Showground.
While you're with us...
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.
