The buzz in the air is electric this evening as the Bathurst community gets into the fever of Sir Elton John's landmark concert in the region.
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Concert goers started queuing outside Carrington Park as early as 1.30pm as traffic workers prepared surrounding intersections for a crowd of 20,000 people over the course of the afternoon.
Two early bird fans who beat the long queues were Bathurst's Bruce Wilson and Orange's Rob Moffitt.
Both men were beaming with excitement for Sir Elton's first - and last - Bathurst concert.
"It's a once in a lifetime event that has been a year in the making," Mr Moffitt said.
"When the news first broke 12 months ago, I immediately jumped on the pre-sale list for tickets, and it's remarkable that the day has finally come," Mr Wilson added.
Mr Wilson and Mr Moffitt are both long-time fans of Sir Elton, and were prepared for an outstanding evening of entertainment.
"For Bathurst to have the opportunity to catch a show from a 50-year veteran of the music industry is truly exceptional," Mr Moffitt said.
"This event could truly open up other avenues for high-profile acts to visit Bathurst," Mr Wilson added.
As the crowds began to roll in, many local businesses proudly promoted their unique, Elton-inspired window displays online as part of their involvement with Bathurst Regional Council's recent Elton John window display competition.
Jack Duggans Irish Pub teamed their 'yellow brick road' themed display with a strong message of support for the NSW Rural Fire Service [RFS].
"We've had a 'yellow brick wall' inside over the last few weeks with positive messages for our firies, and we raffled off two tickets to the concert to raise funds for the Glanmire RFS," Jack Duggans owner Peter Barrett said.
Meanwhile, Books Plus Bathurst centred their window display around the recent release of Sir Elton's autobiography, Me.
"This concert will do wonders for Bathurst's self-image, as it has proven that we are capable of hosting major entertainment events like this," Books Plus owner Kathryn Bancroft said.
"Me came out late last year and for us, it has been a welcome bonus to use the book as a centrepiece for our window display."
"While Me delves into Sir Elton's history, the story has continued through his recent support for firefighters and a Companion of Honour award on New Year's Eve."