The Lightning Ridge Great Goat Race Australian Championships will be held on Saturday April 10 and will be the major event of the weekend.

There will be six goat race heats with first and second placegetters qualifying for the semi-finals.

Medallions will be presented to first and second place at the end of each heat.

There will then be two semi-finals with the top three progressing to the final.

The finals of the Great Goat Race will then be held with trophies and money awarded to the winners.

Prize money this year is $800 for first, $400 for second and $300 for third.

Goats can be purchased for the races for $50 including nomination between 7.30am and 8.30am on the Saturday morning or from Duncans in Opal Street the day before.

Gigs and helmets will be supplied.

The 2004 Great Goat Race T-shirts are now available for sale at the Visitor Information Centre, Duncans, the Opal Cave and around town.

Along with the Great Goat Races there will also be six wheelie bin races between each of the goat race heats with first and second place winners going through to the semi-finals.

Entry fee for the wheelie bin races is $5.

The prize money for the finals will be $200 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third, plus trophies.

The Lightning Ridge Race Club will also be holding a five race program at the race track in Agate Street behind the bowling club, with the first race starting at 1.30pm.

A buskers competition will also be held on Easter Saturday in Morilla and Opal streets, with the final at the Lightning Ridge Hotel Motel beer garden at 6pm.

Prize money for the busking competition is $1500 for first and $500 for second.

Festivities continue on into the night with a fireworks display after the final of the buskers competition. The golf club, swimming pool and bowling club will also be open and holding events throughout the weekend.

On Sunday the Lightning Ridge Black Opal Rodeo will be held at the Bill Waterford Equestrian Centre, with the main rodeo beginning at 4pm.

Admittance is $5 per child and $10 per adult, or $25 per family.