The jacaranda trees of Grafton failed to receive the memo that 2020 was officially a shocker, and that it was understandable if they didn’t feel like putting on much of a display this October and November. It’s Jacaranda time in my hometown of Grafton in northern New South Wales. Old Kirk Church. 1961 Margaret Dean . "There was some great stuff in there, like the maypole, that went on for years," he said. Back then, it was something that everyone actually got involved in. "Even some of the language is weird... like 'the jacaranda queen is the most popular and pretty girl in town' it's so politically incorrect. Voir plus de contenu de Grafton Jacaranda Festival sur Facebook. Council News * The Grafton Jacaranda Festival, Grafton; tomorrow until November 6, jacarandafestival.org.au. Grafton Jacaranda Festival: A proud heritage town and all its purple magic. ©2020 Justine McClymont | Profile photo by Minyarose Photography. "We've talked about this and we touched on it a few festivals ago, having some maypole dancing or some folk dancing by dance schools going on.". The best streets to view the Jacarandas are: You can also check out the Grafton Jacaranda Map showing “Jacaranda Drive” – a circuit of some of Grafton’s most delightful Jacaranda-lined streets. See more ideas about grafton nsw, grafton, local history. They will tell you about watching the Jacaranda float parade down Prince Street. Crime Refer to our helpful FAQ section for any problems you might be experiencing. No less than 7 cafes were owned by Kytherians in Grafton in the post WWII era. COASTAL BEAUTY & LILAC WONDERS Cruise crystal-clear waters and discover glorious canopies of periwinkle For more information and dates of festival events visit the Jacaranda Festival website. Partnership Opportunities. For accommodation options visit the Clarence Valley tourism website. The city of Grafton comes to a standstill with events like Jacaranda Thursday and the … It was never that way anyway. Visitors from all over Australia visit the town; the carnival spirit works to a climax when there is dancing around the flowering jacaranda which grows so superbly in the Grafton Streets. The magic of a country town and its lifelong love affair. Every year, when the Jacaranda trees flower, the citizens of Grafton hold their festival. Like saving money? Environment and sustainability copywriter. Beautiful, welcoming, fun, creative…and a little bit crazy . While 2020 will be the first year the entire Jacaranda Festival has been cancelled in its 85-year history, it ran without a Jacaranda Float Procession at least once during World War II. All the while the locals drive past on their regular journey into town, bemused by all the attention. 1947 Fay Schafer. More related stories. Jacaranda Festival; Visitor Information. The second half of October sees the Jacaranda-lined streets and parks of Grafton look like something out of a dream, with the trees in full bloom. As much a part of this town as the grand old timber barn in the showground as the doors are opened to kick off the Jacaranda Festival season in true yesteryear style with the Jacaranda Ball. Grafton has a very beautiful and very gracious city centre, characterised by wide streets, elegant Victorian buildings, a superb location on the banks of the Clarence River, a sense of solidity, and a long-standing concern with civic beauty, manifest in the 6500 trees and 24 parks which adorn the city. Marie Fraser. It is held yearly in Grafton, Northern Rivers New South Wales, … Jacaranda Festival Parade Day. Grafton's Unique History and Heritage Discover the Grafton of the past that has shaped the thriving regional city it is today. Grafton ; Grafton Hotels ; The Abbey Motor Inn; Search. History. The Jacaranda RV Rally for 2020 has, unfortunately, been cancelled ... Read More. Oct 28, 2016 - Explore Frederick's board "Grafton NSW" on Pinterest. The 10 day event is the oldest floral festival in Australia and growing as an interstate and international tourist destination. Volunteer. Glamorous young Instagramers strike a pose in all their finery. Take a look at our massive gallery of more than 100 beautiful babies that were born across the Clarence Valley and Coffs Coast last year. Festival Committee. Sustainability. Beginning on the last weekend in October each year and running through to early November, this wonderful floral event – and its crowning glory, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, the oldest in the country – has been likened in significance and glamour to … Be our guest and immerse yourself in ten glorious days of celebration. Getting To Grafton & Around Town; Accommodation Guide ; Dining Guide; Weather; Beaches Near Grafton; History Of Grafton; Contact Us; Advertise With Us; Select Page. JACARANDA JILL NEEDS YOUR HELP Grafton was blessed with the arrival of Jacaranda Jill just in time for the 2019 Jacranda Festival, a 6m high x 6m wide Kewpie Doll that starred in the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The gentle breeze billows through her floaty long red dress as she runs to get in place. "It was a big deal, the schools all really got involved, I've spoken to a few older people about it. Our jacaranda is a much talked about event and has grown to become a must do on the CMCA members calendar. Grafton. An older woman, perhaps her mother, clicks away on the camera setup on a tripod on the side of the road. While times might change and life moves on, there are some things that will never change. Grafton Jacaranda Festival . Weather Welcome to Grafton Jacaranda Festival. The Jacarandas of Grafton. Grafton Jacaranda Festival. Dismiss Visit. Mr Smith said it was wonderful to see how the festival looked so many years ago. Your email address will not be published. Taking place over 10 glorious days the Jacaranda Festival hosts a number of fantastic events sure to keep you busy for every second of the day. Here’s to everything that’s great about the regional life. A Queen of the Festival is crowned. A video has been circulating on social media since the Jacaranda Festival finished for 2018 of the festival in 1949 when Fay Schafer was crowned queen. Are you living in one of them? A proud heritage town and all its purple magic. "Now, we will all happily come to an event, but as part as getting up and getting involved, people don't do that any more.". All other items including the famous Jacaranda Umbrellas will be available. Bus trips to the garden displays, and a local tour of Grafton and it’s history were all on the agenda. Grafton. Social. Inaugurated in 1935, Jacaranda is held each October/November. A female driver is lucky to have walked away without injury, but now she will face court. They marvel with delight at this show of nature’s brilliance, while the locals in the two-story pub across the road are not sure what to make of all the fuss. Hundreds of incredible Jacarandas spring to life in the final weeks of October and early November, enticing visitors from all over to … Every year there’s talk around town about whether the Jacarandas will bloom in time for the festival. 1963 Jane Navin . Every year we have seen growth, with both new members and old members returning. This colourful ceremony is depicted in this film. It is a privilege to be a place of pilgrimage and prayer for locals and visitors at this time of the year. Jacaranda season is surprisingly brief, which only makes the experience more rare and memorable. And some ladies will tell you that as young girls they thought the Jacaranda Queen was an actual real Queen. He did say the festival committee had looked at bringing elements of the old festival into the 21st century. The Jacaranda Festival runs from Saturday 29 October to Sunday 6 November in Grafton NSW. A film from the Film Australia Collection, made the the National Film Board and directed by John Keating, the video is a peak into the history of our spectacular festival. Because when you grow up in a fairytale town where the trees turn purple like magic why wouldn’t that be the case? "The stuff in the groundsheet was a huge effort, but it was also a time when there wasn't entertainment on your phone.". OPINION: Battle lines are already being drawn over COVID vaccine. Get there fast as limited stock is left. Streets lined with beautiful Jacaranda trees unveil a sea of lilac purple. Here are the top performers in every grade at the halfway point of the Clarence River Cricket Association's 2020/21 season. Grafton’s association with jacarandas began in 1879 when the council planned to beautify the streets with tree-lined boulevards. They look up at me without responding and it takes me a moment to realise they are trying to understand what I have just said. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Even those who haven’t been back to the Clarence Valley for many years will smile with fond memories of Jacaranda Thursday and meeting up with friends at the Venetian Carnival down by the river in the twilight. My Clarence Valley. Emily dances with Studio One and is practicing her barista skills at the family business, Driven to Espresso. The gentle breeze billows through her floaty long red dress as she runs to get in place. Follow. Voir plus de contenu de Grafton Jacaranda Festival sur Facebook. A spokesperson for Essential Energy has responded to complaints following multiple supply interruptions throughout the Lawrence area. For locals this stunning display of nature in all her glory is as constant every year as the giant festival crown which is placed on top of the old clocktower in the main street to light up the evening. Grafton is known and promoted as the Jacaranda City, in reference to its tree-lined streets and to the annual Jacaranda Festival. Sanctus Craft Brewery Tour New Tour for 2020! Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited under the laws of Australia and by international treaty. Plus tard. Their busiest time of the year was always the time of the Jacaranda Festival The world-renowned Jacaranda Festival is Australia's oldest family floral festival. But what should have been a family-friendly celebration of the jacaranda tree in full bloom descended into violence and chaos. Grafton's Jacaranda Festival Week started in 1934, long before most country towns organised their tourist trade around a yearly festival. Scenes from the National Australian Film Archive video of the Jacaranda Festival in 1949. It is the beauty of these trees that sees visitors from afar driving across the Grafton bridge for the first time to wander the streets and capture the majestic display of colour. "It was very different then," he said. Current Jacaranda Festival president Jeff Smith said the video surfaced for the first time three or four years ago. Book 9+ rooms . My First Year Yamba town tour. See Park: Jacaranda Festival Time! What is the Jacaranda Festival? The Grafton Jacaranda Festival begins each year in late October. For over 75 years the town of Grafton on the mighty Clarence River in northern New South Wales still celebrates its rich history by the crowning of the Jacaranda Queen. I gesture and play charades and the woman in the red dress gives me a shy nod and smile. 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