Locals are looking forward to a Valentine’s Day soiree on the Grafton riverbank, complete with sunset, stories and a grand finale of flying foxes.

‘Upside Down,’ on February 14 at Memorial Park, Grafton, is a free event and a chance for people to bring a picnic dinner and relax on the riverbank to enjoy the evening sky.

Co-organiser Claire Aman said the evening would feature flying fox stories hanging upside down from trees. ‘They’re tender, funny stories written by primary school kids who entered the Long Way Home writing competition last year, when the theme was Fly by Night. There’ll be bat-themed treats, and you can watch the sun go down over Susan Island. Bring a picnic dinner, a chair or rug, and settle back to admire the evening. Let’s celebrate our beautiful river and its wildlife.’

‘It’s interesting to see the curious, empathic attitudes of the young story-writers towards flying foxes,’ said Claire, who is co-founder of The Long Way Home. ‘Some of the stories give a sense of what it’s like to be a wild animal foraging. Imagining the life of another creature makes us alive to the fact we are one species among many, and it’s our job to look after each other. The Susan and Elizabeth Islands Board in collaboration with Clarence Valley Council, with funding from Local Government NSW, is restoring rainforest on Susan Island for flying foxes, so these important pollinators can visit seasonally without running into conflict with us humans.’

Memorial Park is a prime viewing spot for flying foxes, and this summer the small flying mammals are doing spectacular fly-outs from Susan Island.

‘In so many ways we’re lucky in the Clarence,’ said Claire. ‘Not everyone in the world gets to see such a show on Valentines Day.’

‘Upside Down’ is from 7pm to 8pm, Memorial Park at the end of Prince Street, Grafton, on February 14.