Emma Pritchard

A much-loved and time-honoured tradition that officially commemorates the start of the jacaranda season each year, the crowning of the famous Grafton Clocktower took place on October 18 as a small crowd of early risers gathered in Prince Street, Grafton, to watch as the crown was carefully manoeuvred into place shortly after 6am.

Jacaranda Festival Manager Mark Blackadder said it was a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of the jacaranda season, with the 89th Grafton Jacaranda Festival to officially begin on October 27 and continue until November 5.

“There are going to be 35 free community events across 10 days, its going to be amazing,” he said.