✦ Community involvement has been the shining light so far during the month-long festivities celebrating the town of Wauchope’s floral emblem, the Lasiandra. Overall the vibe has been fun with many getting involved in the purple theme.
Kicking off the festival was the Purple Bike Night, a collection of vintage and custom bikes gathered enjoying the casual show and shine hosted by Motorcycle Friendly Wauchope.
Riders travelled from far and wide, some from Coffs Harbour and Sydney, to join local riders and enthusiasts for a chat about all things 2 and 3 wheeled!
Left: Purple Ducati and rider from Sydney at the bike night
Right: Winners: Jack Dwyer Memorial Triples, Kevin Pampling, Wendy Dahl and Allen Lewis
Sporting events that have been held so far were all greeted with beautiful autumn weather and well attended. Wauchope Men’s Bowling Club have advised that the Winners of the “Jack Dwyer Memorial Triples” were Kevin Pampling, Wendy Dahl and Allen Lewis. Congratulations!
Purple People Day was great
By all reports, the day was a resounding success. Lots of market stalls and sidewalk specials from participating shops, many shoppers dressed in their purple best, both the St Joseph Primary School Choir and Port Macquarie Hastings Pipe Band entertained and the many shoppers dressed in their purple best, all helped to create a wonderful atmosphere about the town.
The choir not only performed beautifully, they also marched single file around the CBD of Wauchope, waving purple streamers and the Port Macquarie Hastings Pipe Band followed suit much to the delight of onlookers.
The annual competition for staff costume, window front and premises displays was hotly contested, with imaginations running wild across the town. To name a few, Al's Bakehouse cooked up a purple storm, A Classy Cafe served up Purple Smoothies and most market stalls had a purple theme.
“It is very pleasing to the Lasiandra Committee the extent of the involvement of the child care centres and schools. They aren’t a CBD business, but still they get right behind the festival and have fun all week. The curriculum is based around the festival, the flower and the town.” said Wauchope Lasiandra Festival President Sheryl Barnett. “Involvement in the festival by younger members of our community will ensure the festival continues for many years to come. Thank you to all that participated.”
And the Winners are...
Best Premises Display: TG’s Child Care - High Street
Runner-up: Bugden & Partners ( Paul Murphy and Kerrie Prince )
Best Charity: Lifeline with special mention to Margaret Ireland and Wilma Saw
Runner-up: St Vincent De Paul Society
Best Large Window: A Classy Cafe
Runner-up: Circle of Friends
Best Small Window: Wauchope $2 Shop
Runner-up: Wauchope NRMA
Best Costume Staff Group: TG’s Childcare Hastings Street
Runner-up: Wauchope Pharmacy
Best Costume Individual Staff Member: Amanda Acreman - TG’s Childcare Hastings Street
Best Group: St Joseph’s Primary School Choir
Runner-up: Wauchope Creative Hub
Best Dressed Shoppers: Marcia, Gert and Wanita Miller from Port Macquarie
Overall Winner: TG's Child Care High Street
Prizes will be awarded at the Purple Prize Ceremony on the 25th March at Wauchope Creative Hub.
A busy weekend
The festival continued over the weekend of the 11th and 12th March with the Purple Park Run at Rocks Ferry Reserve, the Yippen Creek Mini Rail Family Fun Day and the Lasiandra Cup at Wauchope Greyhound Track on the Saturday. The weather was kind and all events were well attended.
Sunday the 12th saw a change in the weather which did affect the numbers at Purple Wine in the Vines @ Bago Maze & Vineyards, but those that did attend had a fabulous time. Nikki Rudge's soulful tones created a most enjoyable atmosphere to sit back, relax and enjoy a drop or two of Bago wine overlooking the picturesque vineyard.
Stephen and Wendy Hee (left) won the Purple Wine at Bago Vineyard presented by Lasiandra Festival President Sheryl and committee member James
Festivities continue
If you haven’t been able to be involved in festival activities so far, don’t despair, there’s still a couple of events left on the festival calendar.
One of the Festival major sponsors, The Hastings Hotel, are having a Purple Karaoke night on Friday 17th from 7.30pm. Being St Patrick’s Day, there will be a tinge of green about as well as purple!
We encourage you to dress in purple or green and have a night out at The Hastings Hotel. Maybe have a meal in the bistro and then join in the fun of the karaoke.
From Monday 20th March to Saturday 1st April, the Lasiandra Festival Art Prize and Exhibition, hosted by Wauchope Creative Hub, will be open for viewing at 1/87 Cameron Street, Wauchope.
The exhibition will culminate on Saturday 25th March with a prize ceremony, where the art prize winner will be announced at 2pm.
Contact:
Wauchope Lasiandra Festival
Ph: 0412 137 621
@piperjoymac @hastingspipeband
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