Huge weekend of festivities to commemorate 200 years of Singleton's history with entertainment, nostalgia and glamour

And, Singleton mayor Sue Moore is encouraging everyone to be part of the town's bicentennial this weekend.

The major focus for the Back to Singleton 2020 program is this Friday and Saturday, starting with Singleton Homecoming to take over John Street on March 13 ahead of the family-friendly Singleton Day Out and all the old-time glamour of the Singleton Soiree on March 14.

There'll also be a host of community events happening across the weekend to lead into a year-long program of festivities.

"The bicentennial marks the anniversary of the European exploration of the area we now know as Singleton, when John Howe led a party that included two Aboriginal trackers on a venture for an overland route between Windsor and the Hunter River valley, arriving in Whittingham on March 15, 1820," Cr Moore said.

"But, the occasion is more significant as it's a way to bring everyone in the community together to reflect on the thousands of years of history of our part of the world, celebrate what we love about living and working in Singleton, and look forward to the future.

"I'm really excited for the festivities to get underway at Singleton Homecoming on Friday, when we'll be closing off John Street to bring in food trucks, community stalls, music, roving entertainment and kids' activities, not to mention an extra special vintage slide show, for a street party from 6pm.

"Next up will be the Singleton Day Out with magic, music, entertainment, jumping castles, a Hunter Valley Zoo animal display and more, all on the Civic Green on Saturday from 11am to 4pm.

"You can also check out a packed program of events in the library, including a video produced by school students from across Singleton."

After the free events, media personality and "Singleton son" Craig Hamilton will host the glamorous Singleton Soiree in the Civic Centre on Saturday night, featuring music by pop jazz nostalgia band the Roslyns, bush poetry, entertainment and mouth-watering canapes and desserts courtesy of Mama's Kitchen.

Tickets cost $35 per person and do not include drinks.

"And, there's even more to do across the weekend with a host of community events to suit everyone, from vintage tennis to tours of the state-of-the-art Hedweld Advanced Manufacturing Facility, and from the first viewing of the Dale Frank Botanical Gardens to the New Empire Ballroom Ragtime Dance Orchestra at the Sisters' Chapel at Sacred Spaces at the Sisters of Mercy," Cr Moore said.

"It's a great weekend for locals to get out and explore our own backyard.

"For visitors, they can experience what makes Singleton the special place it is - and best of all, many of the events are free.

"On behalf of the Singleton Bicentennial Commemorations Working Party, I extend an invitation to everyone to plan your weekend and be part of the festivities."

The full year-long Back to Singleton 2020 program is available at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/backtosingleton2020

Free event featuring music from Whiskey Business and the Mark Wells Band, roving entertainment, vintage slide show, community stalls, kids activities, food trucks and local wineries

Experience the operations of global leaders Hedweld as they celebrate 30 years of manufacturing in the area where it all began

Free family-friendly fun with entertainment by the Tim Harding Band, magic by the Pretty Amazing Jono, animals from Hunter Valley Zoo, kids entertainment, kids games and more. There's also a packed program of entertainment at Singleton Library including Dreamtime Storytime, a video screening by local school students, damper kitchen, old-timey photo booth, fibre art demonstration, paper bonnet making and more

Experience tennis of yesteryear with vintage clothes and wooden racquets

Step back in time with pop jazz nostalgia band The Roslyns, bush poets, nostalgic slide show and entertainment all hosted by media personality and Singleton son Craig Hamilton. Tickets cost $35 including canapes, desserts and cheeses by Mama's Kitchen and are available online at www.stickytickets.com.au/pz250, Singleton Council's Administration Building or Singleton Visitor Information Centre

Experience the history of All Saint's Anglican Church

Tap your feet along to the music of the 1920s. Tickets also include a delicious Convent-made afternoon tea

Enjoy breakfast on the lawns of the hospital and reconnect with old friends with tours of the hospital and museum

Enjoy a day of singing, dancing and indigenous food, art and walks in the bush, hosted by Broke Bulga Landcare Group

Be among the first to experience the Dale Frank Botanical Gardens, a "dry garden" of rare species and plants set in the grounds of the original c1864 "Hambledon Hill"

For more information including bookings, visit www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/backtosingleton2020