By Jeremy Sollars
THE rolling Swanfels Valley east of Warwick will once again be the backdrop for this year’s Heavy Horse Day at the property of popular local identity Mick Bradford.
The 16th Heavy Horse Day is on Sunday 23 October from 9am and will feature a packed program of working old-time farming displays including blacksmithing, wheel wrighting, hay making, chaff making, corn shelling and all done with true horsepower.
Mick’s Clydedales are something of a local icon and never fail to impress and this year they’ll be joined by a team of eight bullocks who will haul timber and wagons, recalling the region’s rich timber industry heritage.
All proceeds from the day go to RACQ LifeFlight – formerly CareFlight – and the day is run in conjunction with the Killarney Lions Club.
“Bring the kids for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see how things used to be done, without all the show and shine,” Mick said.
“The Killarney Lions will again have food and drink in the big blue tent.
“There will also be pancakes, ice cream and syrup, Sno Cones, camp oven damper, an ice cream van, market stalls, jumping castle and an animal nursery.
“Displays will include axes, whips, horse bits, harness making, and a local blacksmith and wheelwright.”
Mick will be working his famous “horse works” which pumps water, threshes corn and slices pumpkin.
Mick said he’s a little concerned about the weather outlook for the weekend which at this stage is for showers but is hopeful the black soil paddocks of Swanfels won’t be too far drenched to allow the working displays to go ahead.
Check the Free Times Facebook page for an update on Saturday.
Photos will be available for sale on the day.
Mick Bradford’s Heavy Horse Day has raised almost $100,000 for LifeFlight over the past 16 years.
The Heavy Horse Demonstration Charity Day is on Sunday 23 October from 9am at 122 Swanfels Road, Yangan. Take the Yangan Road from Warwick and follow the signs.
Adult entry is $10 and kids under 15 can enter for free.
