Feb 7, 20234 min read

Wauchope set to turn purple

Updated: Jan 7

✦ The 39th annual Wauchope Lasiandra Festival will be held across the entire month of March. Many community events are in place to coincide with the burst of colour provided by the town’s floral emblem, the Lasiandra.

Events not to be missed are the Family Fun Day at the Yippen Creek Mini Railway, the Purple Park Run at Rocks Ferry Reserve, a Bike Night hosted by Motorcycle Friendly Wauchope and Greyhound Racing at the Wauchope Track.

Bago Vineyards will be presenting "Purple Wine in the Vines" on Sunday March 12 from 11.30am. All are invited to come along and enjoy a mixed afternoon of Folk, Soft Rock, Rock and Indie Pop from the 60's to now from Nikki Rudge.

Dress in the purple/pink theme and the best dressed Lady and Gent will take home a bottle of Bago Wine. Entry is Free.

Following on from the success of the 2022 Purple Rain Exhibition, the talented artists at Wauchope Creative hub will be staging another Purple Inspired Art Exhibition - "Royal".

The colour purple is associated with royalty, nobility, power and ambition. Artists may interpret the them "Royal" in any way they desire.

Artworks are limited in size to maximum 60cm x 60cm size canvas, all must be wall mounted and ready to hang. All work must have a hanging device (D rings and wire or cord on the back.

Works on paper must be framed and ready to hang.

Any 2D medium or style is included: painting, drawing, photography, mixed media etc.. Entry forms MUST be received by 5pm Friday 10th March. Entry fee is $10 to be paid when delivering your artwork, all entries will be exhibited. Request your entry form via email

Artwork delivery Thursday 16th March to 87 Cameron st Wauchope 9am till 5pm.

Artwork collection Monday 3rd March and Tuesday 4th March 10am till 4pm. No changes to these dates and conditions will be allowed, artwork not ready to hang will not be exhibited.

Prizes awarded for first place plus 2 highly commended. The "Royal" Exhibition is proudly sponsored by the Wauchope Lasiandra Festival, Brilliant-online, Mogra Connection and The Hastings Co-operative.

Artwork will be on display from Monday the 20th March with an Award Presentation at 2pm on Saturday 25th March at the hub on Cameron Street. The art exhibition will run for 2 weeks and finish on Saturday 1st April. More information

The winning entry by Alicia Lipovac - inspired by Princes song Purple Rain — The 2022 Purple Rain Exhibition Winning Entry by Alycia Lipovac

Purple People Market Day Thursday March 9

Mark your calendar and join in the fun of Purple People Market Day. Wauchope CBD will be a hive of activity with Art and Craft market stalls dotted about the town centre, decorated shop fronts and premises displays and sidewalk specials from participating shops.

If you would like to book a market stall or have a stall outside your shop premises on the sidewalk please note these must be booked in advance via this link.

Dress in your purple best and join in the fun. We can’t wait to see the colourful costumes!

Get involved, dress up, decorate and have FUN!

The Lasiandra Festival Committee encourages all business owners to get into the purple theme by decorating their shop windows and premises AND dressing up your staff! Prizes will be on offer for the Purple Best.

All new to the festival is the "People's Choice Prize" for the public's pick of the Best Window Front Display. The Hastings Hotel has kindly donated a $ 100 voucher to spend at the venue.

To be in the running, go for a walk around Wauchope and vote for the best business window display before 25th March 2023. Nominate the business you think has the best decorated window in Lasiandra Theme, to be in the running to win. The winner will be picked randomly from the votes received.

Shoppers, dress in purple and join in the fun by voting your choice of best shop window. You just may win a prize too!

Port Macquarie Hastings Pipes and Drums will assemble in the town centre and entertain the crowds. You may even hear a rendition of Purple People Eaters!

Wauchope Creative Hub will host a purple arts and crafts day with demonstrations from local creatives in store. The Hub will be open from 10.00am till 4.00pm.

Port Buses are offering a pick up service from Port Macquarie and surrounding areas from 9.30am with return transport at 2.40pm from $30 pp. For more information email or book on line.

Plus Wauchope Garden Club will present the “Wauchope Flower Show” at the CWA Hall from 10am, just a gold coin entry fee applies.

There are lots to see and do in Wauchope on the 9th March, why not make a day of it and explore the town, it’s a great place to shop and catch up with friends for a coffee.

Thank You to Sponsors

Wauchope Lasiandra Festival Committee would like to thank the 2023 Festival Sponsors: Brilliant-online, Radio 531, Vermilion Pinstripes, Hastings Hotel, Spectacular Beauty, Hastings Co-operative, Wauchope Travel, Wauchope Rural Centre, Greenbourne Nursery, Port Buses, Harcourts, Rosewood Environmental Services, TG’s Childcare, Hilberts Hardware, Turtles Premium Meats, Bennetts Steel, Zenryoku Martial Arts, Wauchope Creative Hub, Wauchope Chamber of Commerce, Wauchope Charcoal Chicken, Elements of Design, Epic Rides & Tours, Al’s Bakehouse, Mid Coast Uniform Solutions, Hair Affair and Heart to Heart Lingerie.

So put on your purple, get your hands on a program of events and join in the fun of the 39th Wauchope Lasiandra Festival. There is something for everyone.