Wattle Time is traditionally celebrated in August in Cootamundra with August 1 recognised around the world as ‘Wattle Day’

as it marks the start of wattle coming into bloom.

With Cootamundra synonymous with Wattle, a celebration around the plant which bears the town’s name was a natural fit.

The term ‘Wattle Time’ was coined in the early 1980s by former Cootamundra Herald editor Barry Clarke as a way of bringing the town together in a month-long celebration.

It all starts with the announcement of Miss Wattle, a local girl who acts as the ambassador for the Wattle Time and appears at everything from the Art Exhibition to the Coota Annual Cycle Classic.

Last year’s Miss Wattle was Jayde Boxsell.

Nominations are currently open for Miss Wattle, so if you know someone who fits the bill please put their name and a few details regarding their contribution to town in a note or email and drop it into the Herald or send to manager.cootaherald@ruralpress.com.

The first big event of Wattle Time is the annual Art Exhibition, this year being hosted by CanAssist from Friday, August 3 until Sunday, August 5.

The exhibition is a longstanding tradition in Cootamundra and is popular with both local artists and people from around the region.

The Wattle Time street parade and community party on Saturday, August 4, less than a month away, is set to be a

highlight of the Wattle Time

calendar.

Registrations are already rolling in for the parade, with the cut-off date to enter a float July 27.

Wattle Time is being coordinated locally by the Cootamundra Development Corporation and Cootamundra Shire Council.

Another of the biggest events in Wattle Time is the Coota Annual Cycle Classic to be held on August 25.

Nominations are already open for the popular cycle race, with Cootamundra Cycle Club president Mark Loiterton saying at this early stage 28 people have already entered from across the state including the Nowra, Eastern Suburbs, Randwick and Orange Cycle Clubs.

Nominations for the Cycle Classic close at 5pm on Sunday, August 12.

Mr Loiterton said they are expecting a field of about 200 riders. Given the success of this year’s Haycarters cycle race, in which a record field entered, he said the club is hoping for another good rollup.

With many of the cyclists from out of town, the race provides a good boost to the local economy.

This year, the centenary commemoration of the Aboriginal Gils Home, today known as Bimbadeen, also fall into the month of August. This event will also bring a number of guests to town, with accommodation already all but booked out for the weekend.

With the Daffodil Tea, Ladies Golf tournament, Cootamundra Girls Home centenary commemoration, Business Awards and Junior Rugby League celebrations all packed into next month, it is sure to be a fantastic month.