By TANIA PHILLIPS
A CROWD of more than 60,000 headed into Stanthorpe at the weekend for the 49th staging bi-annual Apple and Grape Festival.
Southern Downs Regional Council deputy Mayor Ross Bartley said the festival had brought much needed “fresh money” and boost the the community into the area which was officially declared drought striken by the Queensland Government on 1March.
People from all over Northern NSW and Southern Queensland and even a few from the Northern Territory flocked into town to sample the local produce and have a whole lot of fun.
“We should be very pleased with the turn out it was a great effort,” Cr Bartley said.
He said it was a showcase for the region and the organisers should be pleased with their efforts and hard work.
Festival Entertainment Director Rosey Harslett agreed the successful event was a culmination of a lot of hard work
“We worked really hard to bring back the street festival feeling and making sure there was great entertainment throughout the CBD,” she said.
“We have had excellent feedback from people saying that there was so much spirit and energy, and I think this was largely due to the line-up organised by Dave Murray.”
Now that the party is over, organisers were now looking forward to 2016 and are keen to hear what people would like to see for the 50thAnniversary. Comments can be posted to Facebook or Twitter, or emailed to marketing@appleandgrape.org. If you would like to be involved as a sponsor or volunteer, please visit appleandgrape.org for details.
Photographer Terry West was on the streets of Stanthorpe to capture all the fun!
