Lynne Mowbray |

The second Riverside Picnic event which was held at Maclean’s McLachlan Park on Saturday afternoon, was well supported by the community.

The inaugural picnic event was held at the river side park on January 19 and attracted a wide cross section of the community.

Event organiser Phil Nicholas from ‘Events Delivered’ said that Saturday’s event was bigger and better than the first.

“We had 200 people attend this event and the most standout thing for me, was the number of repeat customers,” Mr Nicholas said.

“Not only did some of the people that booked our picnic settings (the first time) book again, but other people I’d seen here in January have returned this month and they’ve bought their friends.

“I’ve seen people who didn’t know their friends were going to be here, catching up with one another; it’s that kind of social event.

“The sense of community hasn’t disappeared or gone away; it’s still there within people,” he said.

Mr Nicholas said that this sort of event provides the mechanism for community to come together.

“That’s what RSL’s or Golf Clubs do, but if you’re not into clubs, this (sort of event) provides an alternative,” Mr Nicholson said. 

“It was great to see the large number of kids that were here and Kerry Howland from Yamba Art Space (who was sponsored by Live Prawn Productions in Yamba), provided ceramic jewellery making for the kids, which kept them busy all afternoon.

“The next Riverside Picnic will be held on March 16 and we might even have a bit of a St Patricks Day theme happening and get some Guinness on the bar,” he said laughing.