Emma Pritchard
The traditional Bendigo Bank Parade of Youth and Banner Competition drew a huge crowd to Grafton on the morning of October 29 as students from several local primary schools proudly marched alongside members of the Grafton Girl Guides and Grafton Scouts from Prince Street to Market Square, holding up colourful banners that they made, each one representing iconic symbols, people and stories from the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festival.
Each year, the popular event allows pupils to participate in the festival and share what it means to them with the community.
With such a variety of creative talent on display, judges Gerelle Blanchard, 2022 Matron of Honour, and Enid McKew, 2021 Matron of Honour, had an extremely difficult time choosing the winners of the Banner Competition.
The Grafton Girl Guides were awarded first place in the Community Group Section for their beautiful banner which highlighted the purple blossoms of the jacaranda trees and how everyone comes together during the Grafton Jacaranda Festival.
Clarence Valley Anglican School won first place in the Schools Section after putting together an outstanding banner which celebrated iconic landmarks around Grafton including the Clocktower and See Park, along with popular 6m tall kewpie doll Jacaranda Jill, the famous jacaranda crown, and the delicious jacaranda ice cream.
St Marys Primary School from Grafton was awarded second place after impressing the judges with their banner, which also celebrated iconic local landmarks, the Venetian Carnival and the fun-filled activities which bring Market Square to life during the festival.
The judges weren’t the only ones admiring the banners during the competition this year as popular presenter James Tobin from Sunrise and 2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival Guest of Honour Brooke McClymont filmed a live coverage of the event and shared the amazing talents of local students with the nation.
Jacaranda Festival Manager Mark Blackadder said he was absolutely thrilled to have Sunrise attend the 2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival, describing it as a wonderful opportunity for the community to promote the much-loved event.
The banners will be on display in The Link between Grafton Shoppingworld and Prince Street until the end of the 2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival.