BACK TO BUCKINBAH FESTIVAL 2026

2026 Back to Buckinbah Festival & Bull Ride: A Day Yeoval Will Never Forget

If there was ever any doubt that small country towns can deliver world-class community events, the 2026 Back to Buckinbah Festival & Bull Ride put that to rest.

On Saturday, 11 July, more than 2,000 people poured through the gates, transforming the streets of Yeoval into a vibrant celebration of country life, community spirit and good old-fashioned family fun. For one incredible day, the Greatest Little Town in the West was buzzing from sunrise until well after dark.

From the moment the gates opened, families enjoyed a full day of entertainment with something for everyone. Children laughed their way through the Kids' Corner, families explored the huge variety of market stalls, and visitors enjoyed delicious food, live entertainment, demonstrations and attractions that showcased everything we love about rural Australia.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing so many classic, vintage and enthusiast car clubs make the journey to Yeoval. Vehicles of every shape, style and era lined the carpark, drawing crowds of admirers and adding another exciting dimension to the festival. Their support helped create an incredible atmosphere and reminded everyone just how special country hospitality can be.

As the afternoon rolled into evening, excitement built for the Empireguard Invitational Bull Ride, which delivered thrilling action and had the crowd cheering from start to finish. It was the perfect way to cap off an already unforgettable day before the spectacular fireworks display lit up the Yeoval sky.

The impact of the festival extended far beyond the event grounds. Local businesses reporting significantly increased patronage throughout the day. Visitors explored the town, stopped to shop, grabbed a meal, filled up with fuel and discovered what makes Yeoval such a welcoming place to visit.

Events like the Back to Buckinbah Festival do more than provide entertainment-they create real economic benefits for local communities. Every visitor who travelled to Yeoval helped support local businesses, community organisations and volunteers, reinforcing why events like this are so important for regional towns.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible efforts of our volunteers, sponsors, stallholders, entertainers, competitors, community groups and everyone who attended. Months of planning, countless volunteer hours and unwavering community support came together to create an event that exceeded every expectation.

To everyone who travelled to Yeoval-whether from just down the road or from hundreds of kilometres away-thank you for being part of our story. Your support continues to help Grow Yeoval showcase our wonderful community and ensure our town remains a destination people want to visit year after year.

The 2026 Back to Buckinbah Festival & Bull Ride wasn't just another community event-it was a celebration of Yeoval, of community, of families making memories together, and of what can be achieved when a small town dreams big.

We're incredibly proud of what our community has accomplished and we're already looking forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027.

Until then, thank you for helping make the 2026 Back to Buckinbah Festival & Bull Ride our biggest and best celebration yet.

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ROAD TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Thanks to Cairns Coconut Resort, BCF Dubbo, Bailey Bar Charleville, Lowes Petroleum & Grow Yeoval

PETER SLADE

WOLLONGONG HOLIDAY

Thanks to Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort

CHRISTOPHER GOMES

TARONG ZOO DUBBO FAMILY PASS

Thanks to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

KATIE BARBER

FLYING WITH GRACE MERCH

Thanks to Flying with Grace

RICHARD CARPENTER

MANLY SEA EAGLES MERCH

Thanks to Manly Sea Eagles NRL Club

LUKE EVANS

DOLPHINS MERCH

Thanks to Redcliffe Dolphins NRL Club

KATIE BARBER

RABBITOHS MATCH WORN JERSEY

Thanks to South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL Club

DANIELLE LANG

THREE RIVERS PACK

Thanks to Three Rivers Machinery Dubbo

KATIE CORBY

LUNCH & QUESTION TIME IN PARLIAMENT

Thanks to Phil Donato MP

LUKE EVANS

TOOL KIT

Thanks to Autobarn Dubbo

LUKE EVANS

73 PIECE ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT

Thanks to Grow Yeoval Incorporated

TONI KELLY

ASTON MARTIN 12V RACE CAR

Thanks to T&K Rural

KATIE BARBER

PIG CHASING AUSTRALIA MERCH

Thanks to Pig Chasing Australia

SARAH O'DEA

BLUEGUM BELT

Thanks to Bluegum Clothing Dubbo

LUKE EVANS

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL BRACELET

Thanks to Everly Jewellers Orange

SARAH VICKERS

COBBA COUNTRY PACK

Thanks to Cobba Country

MONIQUE ANDERSON

PLANTER BOX

Thanks to Siblings Timber, Orange

CHEYANNE WIRTH

THREADWORKS PACK

Thanks to Threadworks Work Wear & Embroidery

LUKE EVANS

EMBROIDERING YOUR WORLD PACK

Thanks to Embroidering Your World

COLIN FOX

BACK TO BUCKINBAH FESTIVAL

Celebrating where we've been. Embracing where we are. Creating where we're going.

2025 Festival Highlights

When the past & present collided, and memories were made

The 2025 Back to Buckinbah Festival kicked off on Friday afternoon with open schools at Yeoval Central and Yeoval Preschool, followed by a good old-fashioned Bush Dance at the hall, hosted by the ever-energetic Joe McClure.

Saturday dawned early with stallholders arriving before sunrise, warming themselves by the fire as anticipation for the day built. At 9am, the gates opened to our very first spectators. Despite the winter chill and cloud cover, the weather held strong. Thanks to our generous sponsors, each child received a free showbag and custom helium balloon on entry. Once inside, all activities and entertainment were completely free—from Cobb & Co carriage rides through town, three epic jumping castles, a mechanical bull, face painting, and rock painting, to boomerang throwing and didgeridoo performances by Lewis Burns and blacksmithing demonstrations from Kilmarnock Forge.

Over 60 market and food stalls lined the oval, offering everything from handmade preserves and leather goods to knives, soap, and metalworks. The camp oven cook-off was a highlight, with duck taking first place. Our eating comps and the hilarious Greasy Pig Catch and Small Paws Sprint brought cash, prizes, and belly laughs, especially when the kids vs mums race broke out!

As the sun set, we gathered at the Yeoval Bowling Club for the final celebration. Our Mega Raffle, with over 3,000 tickets sold, gave away three holidays, a BBQ, artworks, and so much more. The custom Back to Buckinbah 2025 fire pit was won by a very excited attendee, and Justin Landers performed into the night.

Sunday brought a slower pace—lawn bowls, golf, and heartfelt goodbyes as visitors travelled home.

When the dust settled, we were blown away to learn that over 1,000 people had attended our inaugural event—a staggering show of support for a first-time festival in a village of just 300.

With full hearts, we’re proud to give back:
💚 $500 to Yeoval Preschool
💦 $250 to Yeoval Swimming Pool
🙏 $250 to Yeoval Baptist Church

Back to Buckinbah is more than a festival—it’s a promise. By honouring Yeoval’s past and embracing the present, we’re securing our town’s future—together.

2025 Sponsors

The Back to Buckinbah Festival simply couldn’t have happened without the incredible generosity of our sponsors. In supporting a brand-new event, they took a leap of faith—backing our vision before we had any proof it would succeed. With no past data or guarantee of turnout, they believed in the heart of what we were trying to create: a family-focused celebration of community, history, and fun. Their support allowed us to offer an entire day of free activities and entertainment for families, creating joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories in Yeoval. From carriage rides to jumping castles, showbags to live performances, it was all made possible by businesses and individuals who saw potential in the unknown and chose to champion our small town. We’re beyond grateful for their trust, their heart, and their contribution. Thanks to them, the festival wasn’t just possible—it was a roaring success.