Lightning Ridge's pre-eminent Opal Trade Show and Gem Expo will swing into gear during the last weekend of July.
This year's event has been themed Opal Muster 2002 to coincide with the Year of the Outback celebrations and will include a bush dance and the Australian Wood Chopping Championship.
This year the focus is on entertainment with four fun-filled days jammed into the program.
The event will be kicked off with a bush dance and NOW FM's Coops and Blink will broadcast live on Saturday from the Bowling Club car park.
There is also an Opal Nera promotion on Friday night and the woodchoppers will be out on Saturday night at the bowling club.
Thursday night will be an evening of toe-tapping, thigh-slapping fun at the bowling club with bush dancing and a smorgasbord of sumptuous bush tucker.
Newcastle band, 'Simply Bushed' who has played in major Sydney venues, will play some whip-cracking tunes to sing and dance along to.
The spectacular Opal Trade Show and Gem Expo will open from 9am to 5pm daily at the bowling club from July 25 to 28.
The exhibition will include loose and set opal, antique and collectable jewellery and a selection of quality items from Sydney, Brisbane and local dealers.
The winning pieces from the 2001 Australian Opal Jewellery Design Awards will also be displayed on screen.
The Gem Expo will showcase quality opal and gemstones as well as a whole range of country collectables including arts, crafts, tools, timber displays, and chocolates.
With what is set to be a real crowd pleaser, World Wood Chopping Champion David Foster will be on hand to show his strength and vigour with more than 40 fellow axemen as they compete in the Australian Wood Chopping Championship.
The event organised by the NSW Axemen Association has a full program of wood chopping events, which will take place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday at the sports ground.
Popular radio station, NOW FM's Coops and Blink will run a number of competitions including Toot for Loot and giveaways for the kids. So get down to the club's car park to say hello.
There is also an Opal Muster Opal Nera promotion on the Friday night at the bowling club. There will be plenty of hats, T-shirts and giveaways, and a band playing to enjoy the night. The axeman will be at the club on Saturday night to enjoy celebrating the day's results.
Artwork by Lightning Ridge Central School students will also be displayed and judged at the Opal Trade Show by local artists John and Vicky Murray, and Helen Ledgard.
Opal Design Jewellery Awards Association president Sue White, said this year's event will be fun for all the family and young at heart.
"While we are not having the extravagance of last year's Australian Opal Jewellery Design Awards, there will still be plenty of quality opal and gemstones on show at the exhibition.
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