By ANDREA MACKINLAY

HAVING overseen the town's Easter weekend festival for 60 years, the Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Festival committee has fallen into a familiar sync as it prepares for the event in a fortnight's time.

Set to run from April 7 through to April 9, this year's festival offers a jam–packed programme of activities and events, and organisers are hoping to see a return of the big crowds as in the past.

Jennie Gilliver, volunteer coordinator for the festival, said the committee was still looking for volunteers, particularly to help marshall the Grand Parade from 3 – 4pm on Easter Saturday.

"It's such fun; you get a front row view of the fantastic array of the floats, bands, and all the entertainment, and, you get to wear a hi–viz vest," she said.

Jennie added that the organisers also need volunteer first aid providers, with a current certification.

This year sees the return of some popular features of past festivals, including the light horse re–enactment, the Hung Sing Lion Dancers, and of course, the shoeing of the golden horseshoes, where the story of Daniel Cameron and his horse shod with shoes of real gold, is the centrepiece of the festival.

Among the many music acts are locals, The Kissin' Cousins, Ollie Kavanagh and Maya Humphreys, the Albury/Wodonga, the Wagga Wagga and District Highland Pipe Bands, and the Wodonga Brass Band will perform.

Jennie and the committee are particularly excited to welcome for the first time to the festival, Mitch Tambo.

Mitch is an indigenous singer, songwriter, dancer, and didgeridoo (yidak) player and an Australian World Music star.

Mitch appeared on Australia's Got Talent, represented Australia at Eurovision, and his performance of The Voice in language with John Farnham and Brian May at the Fire Fight Australia benefit concert was unforgettable.

Mitch is performing on Easter Saturday from 12.30 – 1.35.

The official programme is out now, and can be downloaded from the festival website:

beechworthgoldenhorseshoes.com.au and festival information can also be obtained from the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre.