Countdown now start for Opal Festival

The annual Opal Festival is just five short weeks away and this year is going to be huge with the National Opal Symposium, International Opal Jewellery Design-Awards Competition, Opal Trade Shows, Opal Queen, Opal Miner of the Year plus loads more. The Opal Symposium starts on Monday July 25 and the Opal Festival stall trading will end on Sunday July 31.
To mark the-occasion the Opal and Gem Expo has launched a new website www.lightningridgeopalfestival.com.au to promote the activities associated with the festival.
The Opal Miner of the Year competition is now open to local opal miners. The competition has been created to acknowledge the hard work of miners and ongoing commitment to-mining in tough times.


Any miner can be nominated or self nominate by phoning Angela on 0407 455 413. Candidates will be published in the newspaper and on Facebook-and all residents are invited to vote on the miner most worthy of the award.


The winner will receive $1000 cash at a presentation at the Opal Queen Ball on Saturday July 30.


The Opal Miner of the Year Award is proudly sponsored by the Opal Cave and Opal and Gem Expo.

Young ladies over the age of 18, get ready to glam up for the 2011 Opal Queen. Each year the competition gets better with more entrants, more sponsors, more prizes and more-people to celebrate the night.


Part of the prize pool this year includes trips to the Gold Coast and Canberra, a magnificent opal pendant courtesy of E Gregory Sherman Opals, stunning Flair Imports jewellery, vouchers, wine, skincare--products and more.


The Opal Queen Ball will-be-held on Saturday July 30 at the bowling club.


Indoor stalls in the beer garden are now sold out, outdoor stalls are available for the Opal and Gem Expo stalls. For stall bookings contact Angela on 0407 455 413, for the 'International Opal Jewellery' Design Awards Tradeshow, contact Lyn on 6829 0203.