The 2016 Jacaranda ball will be held in the Barn at the Grafton Show Grounds on Saturday night the 17th September. This signals a departure from the more recent times when the Ball was held at the beginning of the Jacaranda festival. However, it also heralds a return of the Ball to its more traditional home. The Jacaranda Ball was once held in the Barn each year with the last Jacaranda Ball at the Barn in the early 70’s. Jacaranda archivist Cheryl Barnes said she remembers the last Jacaranda Ball she attended was in 1971 on her 21st Birthday. A significant change has also been made to the date which precedes the Jacaranda festival by some six weeks. This was brought about by a recommendation from a consultant’s study carried out last year. It allows the Jacaranda Queen Candidates an opportunity to showcase their abilities in the community in the period running up to the Festival. The 22-piece band of the Royal Australian Navy will be returning to entertain at the Ball. Those who attended the Ball in the past two years will know how incredible and versatile this band is. The new Band Leader is much looking forward to performing at the Barn and the Jacaranda Ball subcommittee is already working on the arrangements to make the night a success. The Ball is aiming to showcase local produce, food and service as well as providing the first introduction of both the Queen Candidates and Junior Queen Candidates to the Community. It is shaping up to be a momentous occasion and a great event to let locals and visitors know how we put on a show. Tickets for the Ball this year will be sold online and expect to go on sale sometime in July.