Parade a burst of brightness
WE’VE come to expect great things of the Grand Central Floral Parade and this year’s event didn’t disappoint.
Toowoomba Regional Council tourism and events portfolio leader Councillor Geoff McDonald said it was his fifth year walking in the annual parade and he felt pretty certain crowd numbers exceeded last year’s, which totalled just under 100,000 people.
Certainly there wasn’t much room for visitors to move as they crowded pavements along Hume St, Herries St, Ruthven St and Chalk Dr.
Toowoomba businesses and community groups worked for months to polish up their presentations for the annual event and people lined the streets all the way around the parade route to catch a glimpse of the action.
“The effort that individuals put into their floats and even the walking groups should be commended,” Cr McDonald said.
“Hours and hours of blood, sweat and tears went into them.
“I’ve gone in the last five parades and I reckon yesterday was probably the best of them.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was on hand to open the parade and complimented residents on their wonderful carnival spirit.
She said the annual event was an important one for the state’s tourism industry.
Parade winners:
Grand Champion Woolworths Children’s Hospital Foundation
Creative encouragement - RSPCA Toowoomba
Best band: Toowoomba Municipal Band
Band with most carnival spirit: Toowoomba Municipal Band
Best corporate float: Woolworths
Best community float Wilsonton Progress Association
Best creative visual float - Batmobile
Best walking group Everdance
Best Bike - Geoffrey Talbot