By KATRINA BRANDON
THOUSANDS flocked to the streets of Mirboo North to celebrate Winterfest recently.
The festival saw drumming and dance workshops, the Ridgway Lantern Parade at dusk, the Pyromancer & Co seed sculpture, live music, and a bonfire.
During the lantern parade, many people brought their lanterns to light up the sky, playing music, as others watched from the side of Ridgway. Leading the way was the wise, powerful owl, carried by many of the main performers, led by drummers and saxophone players throughout the street.
Layers upon layers of people were gathered along the street, nary a single spot spared, which later transferred to the bonfire, ready for ignition and celebration.
After the bonfire, the band Skazz performed in the Mirboo North Hall to finish the night, inviting people to dance along.
On the Sunday morning (August 4) even more people came from far and wide, enjoying the sun with an artisans market with more than 75 stalls, music, and the sculpting of an owl out of local cypress salvaged from the February 2024 storm damage that ravaged the town.
It wasn’t long before the streets were filled with cars and people wandering through to the last hours of the festival.
One of the three organisers, Nicky Cawood, said, “I think it has been a great success. It has been a really beautiful crowd with really good energy.”
“It has been hectic. There have been a lot of people. I think it is bigger this year.”
Fellow organiser, Thamasin Bales concurred, saying “Both days have been just as busy as another, which has been beautiful to see.”
“People came out above and beyond what we were expecting.”
