'Global' is the new word to describe the once modest town of Kurri Kurri, according to Chelmsford Hotel owner Laura Johnson.
The pub has become an overnight sensation, appearing on national morning show Today, NBN News, in the Newcastle Herald and almost everywhere else you can think of: all because of the mullet!
On Saturday, 24 February the hotel will take centre stage as crowds descend into town to participate in, and witness, the town's inaugural Mullet Festival.
"Kurri believes it started the mullet and the hairstyle is clearly still going strong because we already have more than 100 entries," Ms Johnson said.
"The first 50 entries were all within driving distance but now we are getting further afield with two families coming up from Victoria and also someone coming from New Zealand.
"Not only that, we got word yesterday that there is a German online media outlet sending a Sydney correspondent up to the event because they believe the mullet originated in Germany. Kurrie's gone global!''
"This is an opportunity for people to have some fun, support each other, and for us to show that Kurri is a wonderful town with fantastic people, great food, fun entertainment and located close to Newcastle.
While the idea of a mullet festival is all in good fun, Ms Johnson believes there may be a deeper reason so many people are supportive of the event and keen to be a part of it.
''These days people really want a good news story, something that is positive, clean and fun," she said.
"Things have been hard lately, here and everywhere. We've had the closure of the aluminium smelter and lost 400 local, generational jobs. That has really taken its toll on the town.
"This is an opportunity for people to have some fun, support each other, and for us to show that Kurri is a wonderful town with fantastic people, great food, fun entertainment and located close to Newcastle.
"I have no doubt this event is going to attract a couple of hundred people and that will have a positive impact, not just for us, but for the town's economy including the other local pubs."
For anyone thinking of heading up to the event, the pub has made sure there is plenty on offer with entertainment, food, drink, a car show and of course the main attraction - the mullet judging kicking off from 10am.
The contest will consist of five categories: women's, ranga, grubby, publican and junior - and the top prize of course, best overall mullet.
But if you're like us and have no idea what a grubby mullet is, well, we're here to help.
According to Ms Johnson, a grubby mullet is any non-traditional mullet - meaning short hair on top (business at the front) and long hair behind (party in the back).
Who knew....?
See you there!
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