Goldfields Getaway
29 November, 2021
Start your engines at Chopped
You would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time if you happen to be in the goldfields on the weekend of 11 to 13 of February. Hot-rods, vintage motor bikes and beloved vehicles from the 50s, 60s and 70s will make their way to...
You would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time if you happen to be in the goldfields on the weekend of 11 to 13 of February. Hot-rods, vintage motor bikes and beloved vehicles from the 50s, 60s and 70s will make their way to Chopped, the hot-rod, motorcycle and music festival, held at the Maryborough Harness Racing Club in Carisbrook.
Chopped organiser Kyle Ford describes the three days as a ‘hybrid’ event.
“There are elements within the festival that locals like to come and watch – the drag racing for example – and then look at the cars and the motorcycles,” Kyle said.
“This year we have an indoor motorcycle exhibition which is something that could be a separate interest for some people.
“We also have people who just come to listen to certain bands.
“There are subcultures within the crowd. There is a 50s and 60s vibe with the car enthusiasts but the music is more orientated towards the younger crowd who will come up from Melbourne to camp and go to a music festival.”
The very first Chopped event was held in 2008, when Kyle, his brother and a friend decided to hold a car show on a football oval.
“I come from a hot-rodding family,” Kyle said.
“As kids we were off to car shows on the weekends. We started putting on the event because there was nothing that we wanted to go to that catered for our interests, so we decided to do it ourselves. What started as a little car show on a football oval has grown organically from there to what it is today.
“Its biggest strength is word of mouth which means you’re getting the right people, the people who love it.”
This will be the second time the festival will be run at the Carisbrook venue, and Kyle said it offers great camping facilities as well as separate areas for entertainment, catering and drag racing.
“Once the day activities calm down the festival changes gear and a whole new life kicks in,” Kyle said.
“We have a great entertainment area where the bands play and we have a tiki bar, cocktail caves and food trucks, so it doesn’t really stop between day and night.”
Aria-award winning Melbourne band Amyl and the Sniffers head a line up of more than 20 bands that will play throughout the weekend. While most people who attend Chopped opt to camp over the three days, passers by and locals are welcome to buy day passes at the gate.
“People should book the earlier the better, our numbers are pretty solid with return people, we have a core crowd that comes every year, we are also expecting a strong local crowd this time after a couple of years talk since the last one before the pandemic.” Kyle said.
“If you are after a weekend ticket you will find them online at and there are also day tickets at the gate if you want to swing through and see what it’s all about!”
Go to: www.chopped.com.au to pre-purchase tickets.
