There is no better way of explaining the unique position of Majura Valley in the ACT than a commercial aircraft flying overhead as an early-1900s horse-drawn carriage is making its way across a paddock
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The valley has a rich farming history that stretches back generations and continues to exist hard up against the Canberra airport, commercial operations such as IKEA and alongside an almost $300 million highway in the Majura Parkway.
Majura Road rural lessee Paul Keir, whose family has been farming in the valley for five generations, said the Majura Parkway had actually given thousands of motorists every day another view of the ACT's rural history.
"We feel privileged living here. But now it's time to share it with all Canberrans," he said.
That's a big part of the motivation for the inaugural Majura Valley Bush Festival to be held on Mr Keir's property Springfield on the old Majura Road, organised by the Majura Valley Landcare Group.
The festival will be held on Sunday, April 30 with authorities giving permission for Majura Road to be closed to traffic from the day from the Mustang Avenue roundabout in the south to the Tambreet Street roundabout in the north. The Majura Parkway stays open. Gates open at 9.30am with the fun continuing until 4.30pm.
Cars will be parked in a paddock with festival participants able to wander along the road and onto the property to see everything from wood-chopping to whip-cracking old-fashioned children's games to displays of historic horse-drawn carriages.
Even the original, restored Majura post office will be open for viewing on the day, last operating in 1937.
The pioneering McIntosh family will launch a history of their involvement in the valley.
There were about 13 rural lessees left in the valley and they were keen to share its history with all Canberrans.
Mr Keir breeds hoses and cattle and shows horses on the 40-hectare property
"It's surrounded by the army and the airport, it's right in a tiny little pocket, directly under the runway," he said.
"At one stage there were three schools in the valley and three to four hundred people living here."
Champion steed General, a 17-year-old Clydesdale-cross, stood proudly on Majura Road recently to show off one of the family's vintage carriages, an army brake, used to train horses. People will be able to also take a ride on a Cobb and Co coach on the day.
There will also be plenty to satisfy the foodie with the day also designed to show off produce from the Majura Valley.
Mt Majura Vineyard wines, Majura Valley Eggs, the Truffle Farm, and Majura Honey will all be represented, while the resident Keirs Buses will run mini tours through the valley. The Country Women's Association will be providing Devonshire teas.
Other attractions include equestrian displays, pony rides for the kids, shearing, saddle-making and petting zoo by Noah's Ark. Stockman on motorcycles and horses will race to see who comes out best. Kids' games will include an egg and spoon race and sack races.
"We just want people to bring their kids and have a day on the farm," Mr Keir said. "Immerse themselves in it."
The driving force behind the festival is Sherry McArdle-English who created the valley's original truffle farm.
"I fell in love with the Majura Valley 20 years ago and I'm passionate about maintaining farming in the valley," she said.
The cost of entry to the festival is $10 per car. Tickets are only available through Eventbrite. There will be no ticket sales on the day.
