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Lights On The Hill back on track

Following its postponement in February this year, the 2016 Lights On The Hill Memorial Convoy is returning for the October long weekend

 

Postponed earlier in the year due to the lack of a suitable venue, the annual Lights On The Hill Memorial Convoy is back on the calendar. However, this time it will be a bigger event than previous convoys with a new permanent date — October’s long weekend.

It will also be held over two days, with the twin convoys hitting the road on Saturday October 1, the annual memorial service on the morning of October 2, and fun, activities and live entertainment on both days.

The move from February to October is also intended to make for a more pleasant environment weather-wise; away from the summer heat and the rainy season.

Despite last year’s difficulties in holding Lights On The Hill at Gatton Racecourse, the track will again be the convoy’s destination, with a few subtle and user-friendly alterations.

“It’s the same entry, but we’re not using any of the race club’s facilities,” Lights On The Hill president Kerry Wilkins explains. “It will be a totally different setup.”

While the trucks will again be parked up in the grassy expanses inside the track, this year they will be joined by the kids’ rides, market stalls, plus food and drink outlets. Camping is also available nearby.

The Wolfe Brothers will headline the live entertainment at Lights On The Hill

A wide variety of live entertainment will be on show over the two days, including top country rock band The Wolfe Brothers, former Toyota Star Maker winner Travis Collins, Gemma Kirby, Terry Clark, Seleen McAlister, the Viper Creek Band, Murphy’s Pigs, Smokie Pete, Peter Campbell and Kerry Kennedy & Double Barrel.

In addition, the twin convoys will have new departure points. The western convoy will now leave from the industrial park at Roches Rd, Withcott, while the eastern convoy will depart from Citiswich Industrial Park at Bundamba. Kerry says the convoy’s growth over the past few years led to the shorter routes. It has also outgrown its previous Brisbane starting point at the BP Archerfield.

“Coming from Rocklea out to the Warrego with all the on ramps, the trucks were getting split up with traffic merging,” he explains.

“So out there at the Bremer River, they’re straight out of the industrial site, so we should be able to keep them all together.”

A giant television screen will show live streams of the convoys en route to Gatton, while rugby league fans will be kept happy with the NRL Grand Final broadcast on Sunday evening.

“Over the last few years there have been several requests to make it a two-day event,” Kerry says. “It’s a lot of show to try and jam into one day.”

The convoys will depart from Withcott and Bundamba at 10am on October 1.

Truck-driving singer-songwriter Gemma Kirby and former Toyota Star Maker winner Travis Collins with perform live at Gatton.

For further info see the LOTH Facebook page.              

 
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