German or historical dress is encouraged at the family-friendly event, featuring music, entertainment, and a selection by Bridge Road Brewers from 4pm to 11pm at the town’s sportsground.

It’s part of a four-day program for the town’s 150^th anniversary which includes historical tours, a vintage harvesting demonstration and a street parade.

A committee of about 25 people has been working hard since 2016 to prepare for the Australia Day weekend, and many of them recently retraced the historical journey of German Lutherans from South Australia to Walla.

Anniversary committee chairman Trevor Schroeter, who has links to those first families, said the trip in October was a prelude to a number of events throughout 2019 celebrating the town’s history.

“A highlight of the trip was just having so many people interested in their history and it was a good social event,” he said.

“The Australia Day weekend coincides with the Trek and approximately when that first group selected their land to settle in the area.

“Having an event for the anniversary had been discussed by our community development committee, so we formed a sub-committee through the council for the anniversary and have been planning since then.

“The street parade and the German festival really stand out in the program of events.”

Nearly 300 copies have already been sold of a book produced to mark the anniversary, filled with historic photos of the town dating back to its inception.

Committee member Janet Paech has complied the resource, using materials from past anniversaries.

“The comparisons between then and now are amazing,” she said.

“The anniversary has caused such talk around town and we have people looking over the books, remembering that time, and sharing stories with the younger generations.”

For more information about the celebrations visit wallawalla.nsw.au.