Rochester is celebrating 150 years of settlement this weekend, March 6 & 7th. A street parade will start the proceedings off at 11am Saturday morning from the saleyards in Campaspe St along Mackay Street and over the bridge to the showgrounds, where a BBQ lunch can be enjoyed while browsing through a display of memorabilia, vintage and horse drawn vehicles, static engine display and many other historical items set up for display. The Rochester Historical & Pioneers Society in the old common school will be open in High St and the Sir Hubert Opperman Museum at the Railway Station. A walk through the Rochester Cemetery will take place at 2pm and a map is available for an historical walk around Rochester showing local sites of interest such as the location of the first hotel in Rochester built by John Pearson Rowe, the location of first hospital, the birthplace of "Oppy" and other locations of interest. Saturday evening will start a 8pm with a wine & Cheese tasting while enjoying an array of local talent. Sunday will see a combined Church service at 12.30pm followed by lunch, and over the weekend there will be a patchwork display in the Shire Hall from 10am to 5pm. Special guests for the celebrations are Ms Ginger Holmes from the Celebration Committee of Rochester Minnesota USA who have just celebrated their 150th year and Professer Peter Ryan, great grandson of our founder Dr John Pearson Rowe. Pleaase feel free to contact me for further information on sharon@restdown.com Regards Sharon for Rochester 150th Celebrations