Just like everyone else in Orange, Heifer Station Wines owner Philip Stivens is holding his breath hoping for rain this weekend.
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The construction required to host A Day on the Green on February 1 is close to completion, but the Escort Way winery has not escaped the effects of the drought.
"We're like everyone else - we're a dust bowl," Mr Stivens said.
With up to 80 millimetres predicted over the next week, Jimmy Barnes and 10,000 event patrons look likely to be enjoying greener pastures in a fortnight.
"It'd be absolutely fantastic to try to settle the dust," Mr Stivens said. "After the concert it'll go back to a green paddock for the cattle to roam around in."
Mr Stivens said close to $100,000 has been spent so far to develop the site, with Heifer Station contributing $40,000 and organisers Roundhouse Entertainment putting in the other $60,000.
Orange City Council granted the promoters $40,000 for the inaugural event, with another $10,000 each consecutive two years of its current contract with the winery.
Cabonne Council voted in December to provide $30,000 in the first year, with $5,000 provided each following year.
Mr Stivens said the cost is expected to total $250,000 over the three years, to meet organisers' expectations for a 'hard stand' stage and parking areas.
"Because if you get wet weather, you need a way to get vehicles in and out," he said.
Since preparations began late in 2019, two new roadways have been constructed to bring attendees off the highway, which will be marshalled to minimise risk.
All internal roads with required culverts for water flow have been completed and pedestrian paths which include 14 gateways are close to ready.
"We're nearly there," said Mr Stivens.
Roundhouse Entertainment will 'bump in' from January 27, with eight semi-trailers bringing a sound system and equipment required.
While the portable stage will travel from a prior event, 130 port-a-loos, 21 light towers, fences and marquees will come from Kennards Hire in Orange.
Orange City Rugby Club members have been contracted for three days of pack up and pack down, while Molong Rugby Club is in discussion with organisers to work the clean up.
Up to three local contractors will be employed to bring in dam water trucks to dampen the roads and minimise dust.
Mr Stivens said A Day on the Green makes "a hell of a difference" to the regions it visits.
"They bring a lot of money into the community. That's just the event alone, without thinking of all the people who come to visit."
Local food vendors, including Byng Street and Spilt Milk Gelato, will be employed to feed attendees.
Roundhouse Entertainment will run the bar, which will sell Heifer Station Wines and Iron Jack beer, in accordance with a national contract with Tooheys.
"There'll also be four to five water stations around the site for people to drink from and bottled water will be available at the bar," he said.
Cabonne Council community engagement and development manager Dale Jones said Cabonne has a specific Events Assistance Program, which allocates about $60,000 each year.
"With the Day on the Green expected to inject about $1.7 million into the Cabonne-Orange economy in the first year alone, this event fell into the guidelines," he said.