Community & Business
18 September, 2026
Armatree brighter than ever with the lighting of Armatree
Lighting of the 'Big ArmaTree' highlight of Armatree Street Party
By Molly Shannon
The Goin’ to Gil Festival is shaping up to be an event for the ages, with Armatree village joining in on the fun this year, hosting their very own Armatree Street Party to kick of the weekend.
Through funding from the Streets of Colour program and IT’S GREAT grant, the small community is getting ready for one of their biggest events, with the party starting in the afternoon and continuing into the evening. The event is free to attend. For months, Armatree locals have been working hard to deliver an event for all the family to enjoy.
Organisers, Emma Musgrave and Amy Haling, said that the team has been working for months on the project and that the community is excited to showcase Armatree in all its glory.
The Armatree Street Party Committee is made up of seven volunteers from the Armatree Hotel, Armatree CWA, AMPs, the Armatree Progress Association, and Boreupa Farming. “It’s been an adventure for a fair chunk of 2026,” Emma and Amy said.
“Of course, the businesses and committees involved have plenty of other plates spinning but it’s been fun to plan and we’re looking forward to seeing it come to life,” they said.
The event is open for all ages and has something for everyone, from multiple food trucks, a jumping castle, live music, market stalls and much more.
Plus the infamous ‘Big Armatree’ will even be getting its own makeover with new permanent lighting installed.
Amy and Emma said that party goers can expect a good time.
“We’re hoping to kick the school holidays off in style with a range of family friendly activities, market stalls, live entertainment and food…we’re collaborating with Gilgandra Shire Council with the lighting of the ArmaTREE, and can’t wait to see it in all its glory at the end of Friday night,” they said.
“We are excited to host the community in our village, it might be small in size but it’s not small in heart.
For many in the community, getting to showcase the surrounding villages and include them in an event such as Goin’ to Gil is an exciting time, and one that many have wanted to join in on for a while.
“The Street Party gives us a chance to highlight the great community spirit we have here at Armatree,” said Emma and Amy.
“Locals have been wanting to do a street party for many years and to see it come to fruition is really exciting.
“It’s great to see both Armatree and Tooraweenah involved in the Goin’ to Gil Festival this year, putting small but mighty spots on the map to people out of the region who might not consider visiting otherwise,” they said.
Emma and Amy are excited to take part in the festival, and said that many in the community are looking forward to take part in an event that not many rural communities get to experience.
“I think what people are most looking forward to is having the opportunity to come together and celebrate as a community,” they said.
“In a small rural town like Armatree, we don’t always have the same access to events and experiences that people in the city have, so having something like this gives us a real chance to kick off the start of the school holidays with a bang,” they said.
