Things to do in Murray Bridge: September 22–28, 2023
Your guide to the Murray Bridge Show, River Murray Football League grand final, National HOG Rally and more.
September is always one of the busiest times of the year, and this weekend will be no exception, with three separate events each likely to draw a crowd of thousands.
Murray Bridge Show will return on Friday and Saturday, offering rides, sideshows, food and drink, exhibits, trade stalls, competitions and live entertainment.
Also on Saturday, across town at Le Messurier Oval, will be the River Murray Football League’s grand finals, where undefeated Jervois will meet Mypo in the A grade.
At the same time, down at the Bend, a national rally of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts will be going on, and it’ll probably be loud enough to be heard around the region.
Hopefully you won’t be worn out by Sunday, either, when the family fun day for the reopening of the old Murray Bridge will be on.
Whatever you’re into, there’ll be no excuse to stay home.
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Friday ☀️ 22°
Soil biology forum: 9.30am-3.30pm at Bridges Event Centre, Gifford Hill. A free forum aimed at helping farmers understand how soils can be enhanced to improve production and reduce risk, presented by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
National HOG Rally 120th anniversary: 10am–10pm at the Bend Motorsport Park. Across three days, there’ll be a double celebration: 120 years of the Harley Davidson motorcycle brand and 40 years of HOG in Australia. There’ll be guided rides, bike games, a bike show and specially curated track sessions, plus a Saturday night concert featuring the Angels and Richard Clapton. Cost: $49 per day. For more information, visit hog120.com, phone 1800 464 258 or email hogau@harley-davidson.com.
Funeral service for Wendy Duff: 10.30am at the Minge Chapel, Minge Funerals, 63 Swanport Road, Murray Bridge. For more information, visit mingefunerals.com or phone 8531 1111.
Murray Bridge Show: 3pm–9pm at Murray Bridge Showground, 113 Old Princess Highway, Murray Bridge East. Join in the fun over two packed days, featuring live music and entertainment, more than 100 trades and vendors, a food court, showbags, rides and games, plus a variety of exhibits and competitions to suit everyone. For more information, visit www.murraybridgeshow.com.
Saturday ☀️ 25°
Murray Bridge Show: 10am–9pm at Murray Bridge Showground, 113 Old Princess Highway, Murray Bridge East. Join in the fun over two packed days, featuring live music and entertainment, more than 100 trades and vendors, a food court, showbags, rides and games, plus a variety of exhibits and competitions to suit everyone. For more information, visit www.murraybridgeshow.com.
National HOG Rally 120th anniversary: 9am–10pm at the Bend Motorsport Park. Across three days, there’ll be a double celebration: 120 years of the Harley Davidson motorcycle brand and 40 years of HOG in Australia. There’ll be guided rides, bike games, a bike show and specially curated track sessions, plus a Saturday night concert featuring the Angels and Richard Clapton. Cost: $49 per day. For more information, visit hog120.com.
Tailem Bend market day: 9am–2pm at Saint Luke’s Church, Station Drive, Tailem Bend. If you’re into plants, fresh produce, preserves, honey, handcrafts, sweets, memorabilia, books, CDs, DVDs, coffee, cake, sausage sizzles, kranskies in rolls, and cool drinks, then think of the Tailem Bend market day and “market” in your calendar. For more information: Phone Tony Aylen on 0400 870 878.
River Murray Football League grand final: From 8.15am at Le Messurier Oval, Hannaford Street, Murray Bridge. This is what we’ve been wating for – the clash of the River Murray Football League’s finest this season: the Jervois Bluds and the Mypolonga Tigers in A grade at 2.15pm, plus all the other grades.
Sunday ☀️ 31°
National HOG Rally 120th anniversary: 9am–1pm at the Bend Motorsport Park. Across three days, there’ll be a double celebration: 120 years of the Harley Davidson motorcycle brand and 40 years of HOG in Australia. There’ll be guided rides, bike games, a bike show and specially curated track sessions. Cost: $49 per day. For more information, visit hog120.com.
Old Murray Bridge official opening: 10am-1pm on the old Murray Bridge, Murray Bridge. Celebrate the reopening of the bridge to traffic in both directions with an official ceremony, vehicle procession, then food and activities at Murray Bridge RSL.
Listening with our heart: Understanding the Uluru Statement from the Heart and referendum: 2-4pm at Murray Bridge Uniting Church. Anne Hewitt, general secretary of Churches Together SA, will lead a listening circle at this church gathering.
Monday ⛅ 27°
Author talk with Meredith Appleyard: 2pm–3pm at the Murray Bridge Library. Hear from the author of Daisy and Kate and other novels. Ms Appleyard was born and raised in the Murray Mallee region of SA and likes to explore the complexities of living in country towns and communities. Bookings: Phone 8539 1175, speak to library staff or email library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.
Tuesday ⛅ 29°
Know of anything happening today? Email michael@murraybridge.news.
Wednesday ⛅ 21°
Murray Darling Association 79th national conference: 9am-5pm at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre. Includes address by Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek and sessions on the state of the river, water security, water resource management, irrigators and river users; gala dinner to follow; continues Thursday. Register: From $590 at www.mda.asn.au.
Horse racing: 10.30am–5pm at the Murray Bridge Racing Club, 342 Brinkley Road, Gifford Hill. Watch the gee gees in seven separate races across the day, with total prize pools of $25,000 per race. Cost: From $11.80. For more information, phone 8532 2310.
Wetland walk and frog spotting: 6pm–7.30pm at Avoca Dell, Avoca Dell Drive, Murray Bridge. Come along for an evening walk around Riverglades Wetland and hear from wetlands experts from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board about frogs, fish and other aspects of wetland ecology and management. Learn how to use the FrogSpotter app to do your own surveys and increase knowledge about local frogs. It’s an easy walk around the wetlands, but wear enclosed shoes and – in case there are mosquitoes – long sleeves and long pants. Cost: Free. Ages: six years and above. Reserve a spot: eventbrite.com.au.
Thursday ☀️ 28°
Murray Darling Association 79th national conference: 9am-3pm at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre. Continued from Wednesday; includes address by federal opposition water spokesman Perin Davey and sessions on irrigators, river users, science and technology and flood impacts. Register: From $590 at www.mda.asn.au.
Greater Adelaide regional plan info session: 12pm–4pm or 5pm–7pm at the Mobilong Suite, Local Government Centre, 2 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge. The discussion paper for the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) is open for consultation. The GARP will shape the Greater Adelaide region, including Murray Bridge, for the next 30 years and determine where houses and jobs go and how people will live. This free meeting is an opportunity to provide early input into the GARP and help determine the needs and wants of current and future communities and where and how we should grow. Registrations for in-person or online sessions: plansaevents.eventbrite.com. For more information, email PlanSA@sa.gov.au or phone the PlanSA Service Desk on 1800 752 6644.
Spring flower arrangements with Danielle from Creative Raffia: 1pm–4pm at the Square, Community Centre, 2 South Terrace. Celebrate spring with your own beautiful flower arrangement. Learn skills in floristry, and take home a posy oasis. All materials provided and refreshments supplied. Cost: $40 per person. Bookings essential: Phone 8531 1799 or visit murraybridgecommunitycentre.com.au.
Thursday night at the movies – A Stitch in Time (rated M): 5.30pm at the Murray Bridge Library. A former dressmaker reinvents herself after befriending a young Chinese fashion designer. Bookings essential: For more information, contact the library on 8539 1175 or at library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.
Let Murray Bridge News know about an upcoming event by emailing michael@murraybridge.news. Events may be listed at Murray Bridge News’ discretion.
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