The grand parade starts at 12.30pm at Don Bradman Oval and marches along Wentworth Street before finishing in Blackheath Gardens on the highway.

It is always a highlight of the community festival with huge community involvement.

As well as the bands, a wide range of community groups march or drive, including the Kookaburra Kindergarten, the local primary and high schools, dog walkers, scouts, etc.

The festival, now in its 62nd year, is believed to be the longest continually running festival of its kind in the country.

Whether it is or not, it’s certainly a mad day of fun, said the president of the Rhododendron Festival committee, Rob Emanuel.

“It’s some of the best fun you can have. As well as all the stalls and entertainment in the park, the pipe bands march from pub to pub, regaling the crowds.

“There’s nothing better than standing in the Ivanhoe’s dining room, singing ‘You’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road’ or ‘Flower of Scotland’ with all your friends.”

As well as the parade, there will be more than 50 stalls in the gardens, selling everything from showbags to leathergoods, gozleme to garden goods.

There will also be special children’s activities run by the Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre between 1.30 and 3pm.

The shops get in on the act with window displays featuring the rhododendrons which Blackheath is renowned for and which are out in force right now.

At the New Ivanhoe Hotel car park there is woodchopping all day.  The renowned Blue Mountains Ukelele Club will be performing in the marquee tomorrow night as part of the festival program.

At the Gardners Inn the roof bolting and coal shovelling competitions attract competitors from around the country and Bonnie Doon from 8pm is the chance to dance the night away.

The Uniting Church’s Rhythm and Pews has two concerts on the day, at 11am and 2.30pm and on the Sunday holds a musical service at 10.30am.

St Aidens Anglican Church is filled to the brim with displays of cut flowers and for flowers, there is nowhere better to go than the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens in Bacchante Street.

Here there are thousands of rhododendrons and azaleas planted among the native bush.

There are lovely walks and picnic spots and dogs are welcomed (though on a lead).

Entry is by gold coin donation and the volunteers from the rhododendron society serve Devonshire teas in the lodge between 10am and 3.30pm.

On Rhodo Saturday, there is also a free shuttle bus taking rail travellers from the station to the gardens every 15 minutes.

For the early risers the Poets Breakfast at the Ivanhoe starts at 9am while a relatively new event is the  Rhododendron dance and Halloween party at Blackheath Public School from 5pm to 10pm.

This is an alcohol-free dance event, safe and family-friendly and ideal for teenagers wanting a piece of the action.

Rhodo Saturday is only part of the festival which also includes the art show, rhodo revue and debutantes ball.

This year’s art show has more than 170 entries, ranging from huge landscapes to tiny miniatures. The show is open until November 2 at the community hall, and entry is just $2.

The revue is a mix of comedy, music and dancing, written and performed by the local talent.

Guests bring their own feasts and decorations and strive to win the best-dressed table prize.

The debutante’s ball, this year with a Gatsby theme, is the social event of the year on November 15.

There is also the local composers’ concert at the Ivanhoe on November 14 where local and guest composers and musicians perform their own works.

November 21 to 23 will be the jazz weekend.

The free gig starts at 6pm on the Friday night and continues on Saturday from 11am to 11pm and on the Sunday from 8.30am to 9pm.

The month of madness culminates in the Rhododendron Golf Classic Day at the challenging Blackheath golf course.

It’s a medley singles stableford tournament with a 9am tee-off.

Full details and contact information at www.rhodofestival.com.au.