Mustang, made up with Tilli singer Trish Heart, Rob Godwin (guitar), Terry Helliker (keyboard), Rick Rose (drums), Grahame Griffin (bass) and Dick Ayre (fiddle), will perform on the Henderson Park stage between 5pm and 9pm on November 17 – before the fireworks are set off over Lemon Tree Passage.

“We are excited to celebrate the music we love in the town we love with people who enjoy music – especially country rock,” Hart said.

The band does a tribute to Shania Twain and cover country artists including Carrie Underwood, Tania Kernaghan, Melissa Etheridge and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

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Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer will open the Tilligerry Festival at 10am on Saturday. Belle Nikki will do a Welcome to Country.

Throughout Saturday Henderson Park will be filled with stalls, community group displays and a fairground.

A host of food carts will provide a range of tasty food and beverages for visitors, complementing the barbecue run by the Tilligerry Football Club.

There will be entertainment, activities, games, demonstrations, rides, talent quest and presentations for all the family in the park throughout the day.

Some program highlights include a performance by Tanilba Bay Public School children at 10.20am, a dog show at 1pm, presentation of the Port Stephens Literary Awards at 1.50pm and variety concert at 3.30pm.

The RFS will lead a parade of cars and Hunter Valley Three Wheel Tours will be providing rides on their Harley Davidson trikes.

The day will also include a sail past at noon and dragon boat display at 1.30pm.

At 8pm the Curious Legends theatre company will put on a show using large, lit up birds.

Fireworks by Kaboom at 9pm will wrap up the day.

As part of the Tilligerry Festival, Tilligerry Men’s Shed will be open on Thursday and opening of the Hensteeth Gallery in Tanilba Bay on Friday morning.