A CHANCE to help keep Beechworth’s annual Golden Horseshoes Festival on next year’s calendar will take place at its annual general meeting next Thursday evening with a call-out for volunteers.

The volunteer run festival over Easter draws thousands to the region every year with an action-packed program for all ages and interests while boosting the local economy.

Committee secretary Heidi Freeman said planning is afoot for next year’s festival as it takes some months to plan an array of activities including entertainment, road closures and promotion.

Ms Freeman said the committee’s small team was passionate about spreading goodwill and fun over the Easter long weekend.

“We believe that being a volunteer gives people an opportunity to make new friendships and cement existing ones,” she said.

Falling short of committee members and volunteers to run next year’s event Ms Freeman said the task is not an onerous one.

“Many hands working together make light work,” she said.

“We are a small committee and are trying to keep the festival alive by garnering more helpers to replace the invaluable work past members have contributed who are no longer on the committee.

“We would love to keep the festival going so that many hundreds of children and adults will have life long memories of a unique and free event for the enjoyment of all.”

Ms Freeman said the committee was excited for the festival to have been shortlisted by this year’s Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards in two categories – Heritage and Culture, and Social and Well-Being – to be judged next month.

“We’re looking forward to the interview and hope to do well on behalf of Beechworth,” she said.

“It is great to be shortlisted as it gives the committee and volunteers further recognition for the festival’s importance contributing to the well-being of the community.

“It also recognises the longevity of the festival and its significance in promoting heritage for the sustainability of the town.

“We are hoping that new members can help out on the committee and others who are unable to make the meetings, to offer being volunteer on the day with logistics such as being information ambassadors or as street marshals which may only be for a couple of hours.

“We would be most grateful for the community to help in any way so the festival can continue.”

Indigo Shire mayor Sophie Price said the festival contributed to one of the biggest weekends of the year in terms of visitation to the shire.

“Easter is always a very busy weekend across the shire and the festival, run by passionate community members, is a wonderful additional attraction for why people should visit Beechworth,” she said.

Community members are invited to the Golden Horseshoes Festival AGM next Thursday, July 25, upstairs at Hotel Nicholas from 7pm.