A street parade, markets, pipe band, a commemorative book, cinema experience and other special events over the weekend of November 20-22 will surround a black-tie dinner on the Sunday night (November 21) to mark the 150-year milestone.

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Given the often-tumultuous history of the state's local councils, Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty is proud that Tenterfield council's 150-year history is relatively stable.

"We've never been sacked or had administrators appointed," he said.

Council is seeking $40,000 in grant funding from the federal Office for the Arts to cover the cost of the celebrations, with an outcome pending.

Cr Petty said the steering committee organising the celebration reflects a good cross section of community bodies. In addition to councillors and council staff there are representatives from the Family History Group, Tenterfield Historical Society, Friends of the School of Arts, CWA, Tenterfield Railway Museum, National Monument Society and a number of village progress associations.

As happens with volunteerism in Tenterfield, the same people are often involved in multiple community groups.

Anyone else wishing to be involved or with something to contribute is invited to come along to a committee meeting. The next one is in the RSL Pavilion at 1pm on June 9.

While Monday, November 22 is the official anniversary, festivities kick off on the preceding Saturday with a street parade hopefully drawing crowds to Jubilee Park, site of the rotunda built by council to mark its golden anniversary back in 1921. (The 1971 Centennial Fountain in Bruxner Park has sadly since been lost.)

Cr Petty said there's plenty of interest from schools, vintage car clubs, and from local businesses through the Business Chamber to participate in the parade. It will also feature horsedrawn vehicles and a special display by the Physical Culture Club which is celebrating 130 years. Club members are hoping to wear uniforms from the club's inception, reflecting how fashions change.

Markets in Jubilee Park, complete with pipe band playing in the rotunda, will evolve into an Eat Street experience in the park that evening, with a focus on local produce.

Then break out the crinolines and lace umbrellas for a Ladies Victorian Morning Tea at Centenary Cottage on Sunday morning, ahead of the black-tie dinner at Tenterfield Memorial Hall for 400 that evening with catering reflecting a Taste of Tenterfield.. (Hall renovations are now on a deadline.)

A plaque commemorating the sesquicentennial will be unveiled on the Monday, also officially opening the refurbished council chambers in Bruxner Park. This will be followed by morning tea at Tenterfield Station Homestead.

Organisers are encouraging local businesses to come on board the celebrations, not only remaining open over the weekend but also by decorating shop windows in theme and perhaps even reflecting what their premises was offering back in the day.

There will be open gardens, and activities will be shire-wide with villages also hosting events like Mingoola's proposed Picnic by the River. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to come on board with their own events.

A retrospective on the big screen at Tenterfield Cinema, similar to that organised by Peter Harris for the recent National Trust anniversary, is also on the cards.

It is hoped the celebration will serve as a Back to Tenterfield weekend with extended family returning to celebrate their roots.

The results of the Family History Group's Pioneer Families project will be published in a souvenir book being organised by Tenterfield Library's Chris Halpin, along with recollections of today's descendants.

Council's 150-year journey will also be traced, from first mayor Thomas Welburn (whose descendants remain in Tenterfiled in the Curr family) through the joining of municipal and shire councils in the 1970's to today.

To that end some help is required in tracking down photos to fill some gaps in this pictorial history. If anyone of photos of these mayors/shire presidents, Tenterfield Library would love to hear from you:

Mayors:

Shire presidents:

Cr Petty said the sesquicentennial is a major milestone and he's looking forward to the celebrations, although there are local government elections inbetween.

"Tenterfield's good at celebrations," he said.