Magic in our backyard: The Rainbow on the Plains Festival in Hay, NSW

By Kimberly Grabham

Rainbow on the Plains Committee won Business Champion at the 2024 Hay Business Excellence Awards.

“The Rainbow on the Plains Festival has been a boost to Hay's local economy since its inception in 2018,” the nomination read.

“Hundreds of visitors flock to our town for a weekend of festivities so every motel is booked out (500+ beds) and cafes are full.

“Our distance means visitors refuel while they are here, buy food and souvenirs, and often travel a day before or stay a day later.

“The festival also allows local businesses and not for profit organisations raise funds by having stalls and specials at Fair Day.

“Using Hay Services Club as the Friday and Saturday night venue has allowed this not-for profit-organisation to purchase and install fencing to create a festival space that is used for RoTP but also available for many other events, such as the Hay Races after party.

“Other local venues are also free to create add on events, with the full approval of the committee - for example over the past two years South Hay Hotel hosted a complimentary event during the festival; Drag Bingo.

“This festival is completely volunteer led and yet champion’s our town and promotes visitation all year round - many festival visitors have returned in the off-season to see everything they missed out on during RoTP.

“Giving up their own time to create a three-day event and boosting our local economy is why I am nominating the Rainbow on the Plains Festival committee.”

Rainbow on the Plains Festival 2024 organisers Jade Auldist, Will Miller and Brett Boulton receiving their Award for Hay’s Business Champion.

Rainbow on the Plains is a festival of fun, support, inclusion and celebration of LGBTQIA community, people from culturally diverse communities and anyone who loves to celebrate inclusion.

The benefits of Rainbow on the Plains are infinite, as the nomination says.

People who come to the Rainbow on the Plains Festival liken it as to coming home. The immense sense of community, love and acceptance is something to behold. The energy at the events is so overwhelming, in the best way.

The names Michael Goddard and Josh Bell (pictured at top, right) may or may not ring a bell to you, but two gorgeous men with legs for days, and fabulous costumes that not only change every year, but for every event held during Rainbow on the Plains certainly will.

Their stunning attire is something to behold, and the people behind the amazing outfits are just as spectacular.

“What Rainbow on the Plains does is so important,” Michael said. “You can already see the massive change it has catalysed. And it hasn’t taken long, we’re talking six short years and so much change.

“And other rural areas such as Wagga and Leeton have since followed suit, they are popping up everywhere. It’s something sorely needed.

“The first year that Rainbow on the Plains started, we felt with passion that we needed to come down, although we did not quite know what to expect. But it is such a wonderful, diverse community, welcoming and full of positive vibes and lovely people. We will come back every year, and have a ball.”

People who come to the Rainbow on the Plains Festival liken it as to coming home. The immense sense of community, love and acceptance is something to behold. The energy at the events is so overwhelming, in the best way.

Events such as this take all year planning, securing acts and honing down all the fine details.

In my humble opinion, this award is well deserved on many different levels. The people in this committee are hardworking, dynamic and proactive.

They are not only the driving force for Rainbow on the Plains, but for many implementations and events in our town. This is on top of juggling more than one job, families and businesses.

“I am really glad that the festival is recognised not just as a queer festival but as a festival for the town, because it is really inclusive, a lot of fun, and we strive to support local businesses as much as they support us, so thank you everyone,” said current Rainbow on the Plains committee member Will Miller.

“I am very honoured, for what we try to achieve for the town and the community, both the LGTBQIA+ community and the local community in general, for local families and local allies.

“It is really lovely to be recognised for the hard work that we all put in, the countless hours throughout the year to do it,” said committee member Brett Boulton.

Dedication from people who not only love our town, but the cause. Inclusivity, acceptance and connectedness are things worth celebrating and fighting for.

Top left: Founders of the festival Kerri Mijok, Kerry Aldred and Krista Schade.

This story was originally published in The Riverine Grazier on May 1, 2024.