A huge crowd of around 3500 people watched on as Alana Gordon was crowned 2017 Jacaranda Queen on Saturday night, during the Westlawn Queen Crowning ceremony held in Market Square, Grafton. Image: Simon Hughes.

Lynne Mowbray A huge crowd of around 3500 people watched on as Alana Gordon was crowned 2017 Jacaranda Queen on Saturday night, during the Westlawn Queen Crowning ceremony held in Market Square, Grafton. Alana who was sponsored by The Village Green Hotel, was one of seven candidates who entered the prestigious event this year – the most candidates the festival has had since 2009. Judging for this year’s Jacaranda Queen was performed by members of the Grafton Midday Rotary group. Alana Gordon also took out the Highest Fundraiser prize after raising an amazing $23,000, a good portion of which was raised from her ‘Hot Air Ballooning over the Clarence’ fundraiser, which was a huge success. Candidate Emilee Wall who was sponsored by LJ Hooker, Grafton, was crowned 2017 Jacaranda Princess. The 2017 Junior Jacaranda Queen went to Holly Blundell and 2017 Junior Jacaranda Princess, Tahlia O’Hara. The Royal Party will be kept busy for the remainder of the festival attending festival events, nursing homes, preschools and official functions. The Royal Party will also star in the Jacaranda Float Parade down Prince Street, Grafton, on Saturday evening from 5pm. Congratulations to all the young ladies who took part in this year’s event.

Alana Gordon, sponsored by The Village Green Hotel, was crowned 2017 Jacaranda Queen on Saturday night in a ceremony held in Market Square, Grafton. Image: Simon Hughes.