The biggest Lismore event in May is Gemfest. Last year over 12,000 people spent a few hours at the Lismore Showground under blue skies looking at gems, jewellery, watching demonstrations and, in a lot of cases, purchasing items from the 150 stall holders.

With crowds increasing every year since COVID-19 caused the cancellation of most events in 2021, the Lismore Gem & Lapidary Club (the people who put on Gemfest) have found a solution to a few parking problems. Namely a Free Shuttle Bus.

Vice President of the Lismore Lapidary Club Jenny Vyrenhoek said, "Basically, since COVID, we've had a bit of a problem with traffic management. We were offered a bus with a couple of volunteer drivers from Northern Rivers Busline, and we thought what a great idea. It will help with traffic management a bit."

Car parking is off Dunoon Road, but the Free Shuttle Bus will be dropping passengers off at the North Lismore War Memorial, so there will be a short walk over the disused railway line to the main gates on Alexandra Parade.

Jenny explained the route will be a continuous loop starting from the Transit Centre on Molesworth Street in the CBD, pick up again opposite Browns Car Park near the Koori Mail before dropping passengers at the North Lismore War Memorial.

The bus will operate:

Saturday, May 18: 10am to 1pm then 2pm to 4pm.

Sunday, May 19: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm.

"People can park at Browns, have a short walk to the bus and dropped back to their cars later in the day. That can save a lot of walking for some people," Jenny added, "Free is the word."

The Lismore Gem & Lapidary Club team are already working overtime to make this year's event another huge crowd-pleasing event.

For now, mark the date on your calendar so you keep it free, Saturday and Sunday, May 18 & 19 at the Lismore Showgrounds.

You can discover more information via the Gemfest button on the main page of the Lismore App Gemfest 2024.