By road, by rail, by bike – transport extravaganza

Historically the first weekend of Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival has been the quieter of the two, but no longer.
Festival organiser Tracy Vellacott said that the first Sunday of this year’s festival will roar to life with bumper to bumper traffic in the central business district (CBD), literally.
“Returning ‘jalopies’ to the festival program in 2011 was a hit and it certainly added something unique and complementary to the first weekend’s program,” she said.
“We were very grateful for the support of the MG Club, Warwick Veteran & Vintage Vehicle Club and Killarney Auto Enthusiasts last year; and this year they will be joined by members of the Monaro, Pontiac and Corvette Clubs of Queensland, who will be making a club run to the Jumpers and Jazz Festival,” Mrs Vellacott said.
“While developing the Jumpers and Jazz offering, we are creating awareness of Warwick’s ties to motorsport and, in particular, helping to build Warwick’s reputation as the ‘Horsepower Capital of Australia’.”
Visitors and locals can expect Palmerin Street to offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere to appreciate the tree jumper exhibition, the display of prized vehicles or to have breakfast while listening to cool jazz.
About 100 vehicles will line Palmerin Street, with their owners, mostly visitors, able to enjoy the buzz of Warwick’s quirky winter festival.
The central block of the CBD will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, July 22, to allow people to wander the street looking at trees and motor vehicles.
The transport extrav-aganza will continue on the first weekend, with the festival’s inaugural ‘yarn-bomb your bike’ competition and parade, as well as steam train trips to Wallangarra and Hendon.
“The two steam train trips will enhance the visitor’s festival experience and we hope to see full carriages as the Downs Dasher rolls out into the picturesque countryside of our region,” Mrs Vellacott said.
Further information on the car rally, steam train trips or the ‘yarn-bomb your bike’ competition can be obtained by telephoning the Warwick Tourism & Events office on (07) 4661 9073.