After the event looked like it was on death’s door earlier this year, following a funding rejection by the State Government, Narromine is now looking to come alive again for the Dolly Parton Festival following a U-turn under the Open Streets program.

All the fun and colour of the celebration of one of the greats of country music will come to Narromine in October, with Narromine Shire Council successfully applying for a grant under the program.

Responding to the cost-of-living crisis, the festival will have free entry, bringing locals together for budget-busting, family-friendly fun.

“The Festival will include a daytime street party and nighttime concert and will bring the streets of Narromine alive to create a positive vibe,” Local Duty MLC for the Dubbo Electorate, Stephen Lawrence, said.

“This will boost the economy, community spirit and be great for general wellbeing of this small but vibrant rural community,” he added.

The Dolly Parton Festival is one of 130 regional and metro events funded by the Open Streets program, which aims to activate local streets and public spaces, and boost vibrancy and visitor numbers to local communities and businesses, according to NSW Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs, and Tourism Minister, John Graham.

“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure,” Mr Graham said.

“Great streets make great towns and centres, and reflect the local community and culture. The Open Streets program is about temporarily transforming our main streets into vibrant and welcoming public event spaces,” he added.

Other events funded include the Parkes Elvis Festival, Moon Festival in Cabramatta, the Kurri Curry Festival in Kurri Kurri, the 4Elements Hip-hop Festival in Blacktown, the Float Your Boat event at Lake Macquarie, the Big Bogan Festival in Nyngan, and the Back O’ Bourke Street Fiesta.

“The colour and diversity of these 130 events celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb,” Mr Graham said.

“This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community,” he added.