Preparations are underway in Grafton’ Market Square for this weekend’s Jacaranda Festivities. The day kicks off with the Bendigo Bank Jacaranda Children’s morning on Saturday. The first event is the Parade of Youth which begins at 9am at the river end of Prince Street ending up at Market Square. At 10am the Jacaranda Beautiful Baby competition begins. There is a $10 entry fee and registrations for this event close on Thursday, October 27. No late entries will be accepted (for more information contact Helen 0448 423 989). This event will be followed by the Children’s Party where the Party Prince and Princess and Jacaranda Flower Girl and Page Boy will be judged. The 2016 Jacaranda Queen Crowning ceremony begins at 6.30pm in Market Square with a highlight this year being the use of a big screen, to give everyone attending a bird’s eye view of the event. There will be six cameramen involved in capturing every moment. This year’s crowning ceremony will see a change of MC with Desan Paddayachee sharing the role with former Jacaranda Queen Sarah Templeton. Another former queen McKenzie Harvison will sing the national anthem. This year will mark 20 years of the Junior Jacaranda quest and there will be a gathering of former party members with the first Junior Jacaranda Queen Kristel Smith crowing this year’s Junior Queen. New lighting in Market Square and the introduction of the big screen will give a fresh take on our Jacaranda tradition and make this year’s Jacaranda Crowning an event not to be missed. See pages 13 – 16 for all your Jacaranda Festival information.