This year a dedicated group of volunteers are breathing new life into the event and are working together to give a much-treasured event on the city's performing arts calendar, the celebration it deserves.

This year marks 70 years since performers first took to the stage of the Tamworth Hall for the first Eisteddfod and committee member and former dance convenor Dorothy Bowden is proud to say she’s been involved with almost 35 of them.

Mrs Bowden is turning 70 this year herself, and said she still holds dear the friendships and precious memories she has made along the way, with plenty of stories to tell.

She first entered a Tamworth Eisteddfod at the age of nine and little did she know back then, but years later she would return to teach Eisteddfod contestants and her own children and grandchildren would even take part in the process.

Mrs Bowden says at one stage there were four generations from her family involved in the Eisteddfod in one way or another; with her mother, daughter and grandson all there at the same time. Her father was also a volunteer.

"I felt it was time to put something back into it because I had enjoyed all my years of dancing," Mrs Bowden said.

"I loved it, I loved the kids and it was just something I loved doing - it was a lot of work.

"It's important for young people growing up to be able to compete...and..in other words, strut their stuff."

Along with more than three decades at the helm of the iconic performing arts program, Mrs Bowden said there were plenty of memories.

One of those was the outrage of parents one year, when a dance adjudicator was stuck in Sydney due to fog causing delays.

"There was so many irate parents, it was unbelievable," she said.

"There was nothing we could do about it, but we can laugh about it now.

"Another one that sticks with me, and that I love dearly, is an adjudicator pulled out at the last minute when we used to hold the tap dancing up at St Andrew's Hall.

“I was desperate and somebody gave me a lady's name. I rang her and when she stepped off the train I thought, 'Oh my god' she would have been 85 in the shade, but she turned out to be the best adjudicator I have ever had time with."

Mrs Bowden still keeps in touch with former students and eisteddfod contestants, which she said makes her proud there is still a passion for performing arts in the city.

Although she's now taken a step back from the committee, she will still volunteer at this year's event and hopes others could put their hand up for it in the future - to keep the Eisteddfod alive.

"I still get calls from the girls who probably hadn’t danced here for eight years,” Mrs Bowden said.

"They come in and say hello and give you a hug, and now some of them are teaching and bringing their own students. It is nice you can walk in and say hello to people you have known for so long.”

"Getting volunteers is hard, and not being young anymore and teaching, you find it hard to find volunteers.

“You need lots of help for the Eisteddfod and there are so many different aspects to it, with the music and the doors and people to take money. It is lovely to see that it is still going and that the children still enjoy it and I want to say thank you to all the volunteers that have helped me.”

Alongside Mrs Bowden for some of those years was Barbara Dennis, who congratulated volunteers for bringing the Eisteddfod to its milestone 70^th year.

“I have fond memories of organising the schools for Choral speech,” she said.

“We started at Carinya Christian School hall, but quickly outgrew the hall in numbers due to the response and enthusiasm of the teachers and students. 

“We moved to Tamworth City Hall and were always filled to the brim. It was a fabulous atmosphere to see also, the families crowding the balcony area.

“The Tamworth Eisteddfod Committee should be proud of the many hours of work that they have done, necessary to keep the Eisteddfod going. 

“During my time, the drive to continue was made by the dedication of persons such as Margaret Heliger, Carol Brodbeck, Dorothy Bowden and Barbara Bidencope. 

“An eisteddfod reminds me of a debutante ball, a classic display of pride, dignity and community spirit.

“It is also a fine display of amazing talent by our young citizens. 

“Congratulations to a very small, but powerful, committee.”

Led by chairman Chris Jackson, this year’s committee is made up of dedicated locals who, at some point in their lives, have been connected to the Eisteddfod.

Jane Burt, Lucinda Burt, Jillian Cook, Julie Kirk, Petrice Duncan, Nola Mulligan, Chris Barlett, Jan Morris, Amanda Ward, Todd Power and Samara Redman are among the members who are breathing new life into the big event that showcases the dancers and singers, and musical and dramatic arts talents of the region's youth.

The committee says the response to this year's callout for entrants has been so overwhelming that the event was extended by a couple of days to meet demand.

"It brings together a diverse and dedicated group of volunteers who are passionate about giving back to our community and ensuring that the children and youth in Tamworth and surrounds have endless opportunities to showcase their talents," Mr Jackson said.

"Since its inception, there would have been hundreds and thousands of children walking through the doors.

“I was once a student in the Tamworth Eisteddfod, under the guidance of Mrs Joan Carpenter (who was the Official accompanist for the Eisteddfod for many years) I want to give back to the younger generation something that I benefited from.”

The 70th Tamworth Eisteddfod will begin on Monday, June 5 and will run over three weeks.

Performance categories for this year’s anniversary event include choral speech, dance, music, drama and mature performers with entrants expected to come from as far as Wauchope and Singleton, Port Macquarie and Gunnedah to compete.

Session tickets are $7 for adults and season tickets are $50.