Mitchell Shire residents can expect big celebrations over the next year after the council gave almost $40,000 to festivals and events.

Kilmore Antiques and Collectables Fair, Wandong Country Music Festival and Ute Show, Kilmore Celtic Festival, Kilmore Turf Cup, Kilmore Pacing Cup, Kilmore Art Expo, Willowmavin Primay School Bush Dance, Tastes of the Goulburn, Seymour Quilt Fair and Goulburn Valley Tourism Month received a total funding of $39,220 in Tourism and Events grants.

Wandong Country Music Festival organiser Helen Stewart said the $7000 allocated to the event was very welcome, as the festival has been struggling to find funding since the CFA was forced to withdraw their support last year. Held in March, the festival attracted big names and crowds this year including Catherine Britt, Tim Farren and Sandra Humphries.

But Ms Stewart is still waiting on willing sponsors to secure the 2012 line up. The council refused a $5200 grant for the Kilmore Agricultural Show, despite having $10,780 funding left over. But Mitchell Shire Director of Community and Recreation Rob McVernon said the Kilmore Show had already received $3,750 of the Community Grants funding announced last month.

Show society member Elyse Kelly said those grants would create an agricultural art competition where entrants are challenged to make a fashion piece out of materials like wool pack, as well as a talent quest at this year’s show. Ms Kelly said the society had also received a $2300 volunteer’s grant from the Government, which had funded sunscreen, water bottles, lunch and other goodies for volunteers.

There are currently around 12 volunteers for December’s show, but Ms Kelly said the society would “love 30 or 40 more”. “If they can spare an hour or the whole day, anything would be appreciated. There’s a variety of things they can get involved in including horse marshalls, homecraft area, being on the gate, (pet shows and dog events, stage hands, we’ve also got the volunteers lunch for those budding masterchefs.”