AS the 135th anniversary of Ned Kelly's death looms, there appears to be no relenting in the public's fascination with the bushranger.
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Reinforcing that point, this weekend's Ned Kelly Weekend has drawn double the interest of 2014, according to Beechworth Historical Re-enactment Group member Laura Murray.
"Numbers-wise we've topped last year with ticket sales," Ms Murray said.
"We're expecting about 4000 in town, last year we only had half of that.
"I think the anniversary has helped, but we’re also covering different aspects with Redmond Barry's back story and a focus on Joe Byrne, Harry Power and Belle Sherritt, the wife of Aaron Sherritt.”
Barry was the judge who sentenced Kelly to death in Melbourne in 1880, while Byrne, Power and Sherritt were all fellow bandits.
Ms Murray said stars of The Last Outlaw television series, including Steve Bisley, would be hosting a question and answer session at the George Kerferd Hotel on Saturday night.
There will also be an moustache, tattoo and beard competitions after they were a success last year.
The tattoo contest was won by a Brisbane man who had the Glenrowan siege scene complete Kelly Gang members adorning his back.
Re-enactments of Ned Kelly's committal will feature Matt Aldridge, who is in his second year in the role.
"To me he's an Australian icon that probably gets misjudged by people who don't know the correct facts," Mr Aldridge said.
"I know he did what he did but when you look at his story he had his reasons.
"To me he's a fascinating bloke with a fascinating story, to me he's an inspiration."
Mr Aldridge, who hails from Avenel, will have his beard shaved off for charity on Sunday.
He will have two years of growth chopped at the Beechworth RSL at 4pm.
Other festival attractions include children's activities such as gold nugget hunts, a petting zoo and colour-ins.
A replica of the Glenrowan Inn will be show in the Police Paddocks.
It is the third year that Beechworth inmates as part of Prisoners on the Run have built the siege epicentre.
An event schedule can be found on the Ned Kelly Weekend Facebook page.
