Arts & Culture
14 October, 2026
Warragamba community preparing for festival of the year
The community of Warragamba is preparing for their biggest event of the year, Damfest 2026, traditionally held on the third weekend in October.
The community of Warragamba is preparing for their biggest event of the year, Damfest 2026, traditionally held on the third weekend in October.
It is organised by the Warragamba Silverdale Neighbourhood Centre (WSNC) and supported by a number of other local businesses and sponsors, including Wollondilly Shire Council, as Mayor Matt Gould is a resident of the town.
This year, DamFest will be held across two exciting days, with a Country Music Muster on Saturday from 2-10pm and the free community event on Sunday from 10-4pm, with something for everyone.
The ticketed Country Music Muster will be held at the Warragamba Football Oval, with gates opening at 1pm and live entertainment from 2pm.
The afternoon and evening will feature a fantastic lineup of country music performers including Missy Lancaster, Bill Sarina, Peter McWhirter, Jamie Preston, Brock County and other talented artists.
“There will also be food trucks, market stalls, entertainment, novelty activities and our annual Tug of War Challenge commencing at approximately 4:30pm,” the spokesperson said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to come together, enjoy some great country music and contribute towards an important community cause our Food Sustainability Program.”
Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children (aged 12 and under), or $70 for a family pass.
"DamFest has always been about more than bringing people together for a great day out,” a representative from the DamFest Organising Committee and WSNC told The Southern Wire.
“It represents the heart of Warragamba, the strength of our volunteers and the generosity of a community that continues to look after its own.
"What makes DamFest so special is that every ticket purchased, every stallholder who participates, every sponsor who comes on board and every person who attends is contributing to something much bigger than a festival.
"Every dollar raised goes back into supporting our community, helping us continue delivering programs and services that make a genuine difference to local people and families."
The event has strong connections to the town’s unique identity and the history of the iconic Warragamba Dam, which officially opened in 1960.
“Warragamba itself was built on community spirit,” the spokesperson added.
“From the early days of the dam's construction, local residents, workers and their families relied heavily on volunteering, fundraising and community participation to establish the services, facilities and activities that helped shape the township.
“That same sense of community ownership and pride continues through DamFest today.”
This year the DamFest Organising Committee are bringing the festival into the heart of the township, creating a vibrant community festival featuring their traditional street parade on Sunday from 12 noon.
There will also be a Car, Truck and Bike Show & Shine in collaboration with Warragamba Cars & Coffee and Cars Under the Stars.
There will also be well over 150 market stalls, trade displays, food vendors and local businesses, as well as amusement rides and entertainment for children and families, live performances, line dancing, buskers and community entertainment.
There will also be community displays, demonstrations and interactive activities.
The Pioneer Timber Cutters are also returning, showcasing traditional timber craftsmanship and carving demonstrations beside the Warragamba Town Hall.
“We are particularly excited to welcome the Pioneer Timber Cutters back, as they were a regular and much-loved attraction at DamFest for many years,” the DamFest spokesperson said.
“Sunday remains a free-entry event because we strongly believe that community celebrations should be accessible to everyone, particularly during a time when so many households are experiencing financial hardship.”
This year the primary fundraising focus for the WSNC is on ensuring the ongoing sustainability of their Community Food Sustainability Program, which has experienced extraordinary growth in demand.
“When the program first commenced, we were supporting approximately 34 local families with access to affordable food and essential items,” the WSNC spokesperson told The Southern Wire.
“In recent months, demand has increased dramatically, with the program now supporting 137 families in recent weeks — and that number continues to grow.
“This represents more than a fourfold increase in the number of families needing assistance.
“Behind those numbers are real people and real circumstances. We are seeing working families struggling to meet everyday expenses, older residents on limited incomes, individuals experiencing unemployment, families facing unexpected hardship and community members impacted by crisis.
“The rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities, transport and other essential living expenses is placing enormous pressure on local households.
“What is particularly concerning is that we are seeing people reaching out for assistance who have never previously needed to access community support.
“Our Community Food Sustainability Program is not a funded program.
“We do not receive dedicated ongoing government funding to operate this initiative. It relies on fundraising, donations, partnerships, community generosity and the commitment of our WSNC team and volunteers.
“Events such as DamFest are therefore absolutely critical to keeping these grassroots services operating.
“Without fundraising support, it becomes increasingly difficult to purchase food, secure essential supplies, respond to growing demand and ensure families can continue accessing affordable food and assistance when they need it most.
“Our goal is not only to help families through an immediate crisis, but to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where people feel comfortable reaching out, connecting with services and receiving assistance without judgement.
"These are not just statistics. These are our neighbours, our families, our older residents and members of our community who are doing their best to manage under increasingly difficult circumstances.
"We are seeing families who are working but still cannot make ends meet, people experiencing unexpected hardship and individuals who are finding themselves needing support for the very first time.
"That is why DamFest is so important. The funds raised this weekend will directly contribute towards keeping this vital grassroots initiative operating and ensuring we can continue responding to families in need."
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