But this year, the event is all about the town’s golden past.

Thirteen re-enactment groups from along the east coast will converge next week to help host the Golden City of the Hills festival.

It will begin with a parade on Saturday at 10am, with red coats, police and miners filling Camp Street.

Across the weekend, there will be a range of displays, portraying the camp life of the soldiers involved in the Eureka uprising in Ballarat, the workings of government camps, miners’ stories and how to prospect for gold.

The involvement of schools will also return on the Friday – there has not been a dedicated day for students since 2010.

President Laura Murray said after the Ned Kelly Weekend took a break last year, the group decided to reconnect to the roots of Beechworth’s history.

“Without gold, Ned Kelly wouldn’t have been in Beechworth,” she said.

“It was gold that built the town, so we think it’s important to showcase that and re-enact life in the goldfields.

“The highlight for us will be the parade, as we’ve never done one before, and Beechworth is known for its parades so hopefully we will do that justice.”

In 1852 gold was discovered in the Beechworth region at Spring Creek and within 12 months of its discovery, there were 8000 prospectors in the region.

Ms Murray said it was also important to acknowledge the multiculturalism the gold rush era brought, with Chinese lions featuring in the parade and a Chinese camp to be established with a tea house and temple open to the public.

“The Andrews government has apologised to the Chinese in recent times for its policies,” she said.

“It’s timely and it’s always been the main focus, to educate people in a way they don’t necessarily realise they’re learning.”

And Ned Kelly fans, fear not – there are plans to bring elements of the Kelly story back next year.

For details on next weekend’s event, go to www.facebook.com/BeechworthHistoricalReenactment/.