St Patrick’s hosts State Titles

Spokesman Paul Morris is anticipating a big crowd tomorrow evening in the grounds of Allora’s St Patrick’s School for the St Patrick’s Parish Fete.
The annual fete is a popular event on the Allora social calendar and all the more special this year, given the recent parish centenary celebrations and the fete’s famous sheaf pitch event assuming State honours.
With only hours to go before the sheaf pitching is scheduled to start, no doubt competitors have embarked on some training, or at least thought about it.
The sheaf pitching is a tradition synonymous with the fete; pitchers test their brawn as they attempt to hurl a 4kg straw-stuffed bag over a horizontal bar above the competitor’s head with a pitch fork.
While a popular event at fairs, fetes and shows in Ireland and Australia, the sheaf pitch has its beginnings as a traditional Scottish agricultural sport.
The St Patrick’s fete sheaf pitch this year carries Queensland Championship honours, including generous prize money and silverware sponsored by Glenmar Fuels and Black Toyota, Warwick.
The fete has seen the emergence of some legendary local pitchers – John Cowley, John Maher, Max and Brian Phelan are names that have featured in the winner’s circles in past years, conjuring up memories of outstanding performances.
Jason Denny is a champion of recent times and is looking forward to taking on the best the district can muster on the night.
Jason is coordinating the event this year, which features an open event and junior and ladies’ events.
The tradition is continuing, with many of the current generation learning their skills from past masters such as Max Phelan.
Max’s son John Phelan, the current State titleholder, is an uncertain starter at this stage, but stars of recent years such as Jason Denny, John Maher, Wayne Lyons and Simon Doyle will all be in the mix.
The “Anything Goes” event is another challenge that has evolved as a feature of the fete for well over a decade.
Teams battle their way through an arduous course that is always a highlight of the night. Be sure to have your team organised ready for the Friday night action ahead.
The night has something for everyone, with an array of stalls offering a Tombola (bottle stall), novelties, cakes and sweets, plants, clothing, books and magazines, to mention a few, along with the well known Deuchar stall with an endless range of items on sale.
A fashion parade will also feature, along with a  merry-go-round and rides, a jumping castle, face painting, raffles and an endless selection of food, along with the traditional St Pat’s barbecue and a licensed bar.
An animal nursery will provide plenty of entertainment for the younger brigade.
The younger generation will enjoy the disco; 6.30pm to 8pm for primary school children, followed by high school age from 8pm until late.
The St Patrick’s School Choir will perform on the night, as will Katie Dennis, along with other local musical entertainment.
The fete starts at 5pm, winding down at 10pm.
If you fancy a toss in the St Patrick’s Glenmar Fuels – Black Toyota 2011 Queensland Sheaf Pitching titles, nominate by calling Jason Denny on 0448 612 799.