THE streets of Casterton were flooded with guests over the weekend as the 26th annual Kelpie Muster was held following a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19.
More than 10,000 people crowded the main street of the town, which is known as the home of the kelpie, on Saturday to watch the Kelpie Country street parade.
The parade included a range of floats and exhibitions travelling down the main street watched by thousands of people who lined the sidewalk with their own kelpies and other dogs.
On Sunday, a further 2,500 people attended the annual kelpie auction with the top dog selling for $27,000.
Another pup sold for $26,000 with a further 14 kelpies reaching a price tag of $10,000 each.
Other events such as the annual kelpie photo competition, art show and kelpie triathlon were also held.
Casterton Kelpie Association president Karen Stephens said the weekend-long event attracted the largest number of guests the event had ever had.
She said it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces at the event once again, getting back to what people enjoy doing the most.
“After the weekend we had so many positive comments come through and I think the fact that it is just a great day out, our Saturday events are free and allows guests to go from one activity to another,” Ms Stephens said.
“Over the years we have cemented ourselves in the profile of the working dog and a lot of people don’t understand how heavily farmers rely on working dogs so it has been important for us to teach that and put it out there.
“We are always surprised at the prices the dogs get at the auctions, but what people forget is that they can do the work of two good farm hands as they are brilliant dogs.”
