STARS OF THE EISTEDDFOD
WATERMELONS are set to replace piglets in an annual event celebrating agriculture at a California fair.
The Press Democrat reported that the Sonoma County Fair has eliminated the pig scramble from Farmers Day due to rising public concern and protests over animal welfare.
In the long-running event at the fair in Santa Rosa, youngsters chased and tried to capture piglets weighing 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms). Officials say this year’s event on August 4 will instead include elementary school children carrying watermelons slicked with vegetable oil around an obstacle course in a timed race.
The board president says the decision reflects a “heightened awareness” toward calls for humane treatment of farm animals at the fair 89km north of San Francisco. SHILOH PAYNE THE Gold Coast Eisteddfod has begun on a high note, with the strings, wind and brass categories starting yesterday to launch the annual seven-week artistic showcase.
Primary school, secondary school and the 20 years and under age group trios, quartets and quintets performed before the adjudicators, with the rest of the instrumental groups competing until Monday.
Competitors are facing a new adjudicator this year – one who knows what it is like to be in their position.
Former A.B. Paterson College teacher Jodie Davis has fond memories of conducting students at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and yesterday returned to adjudicate in this year’s strings, wind and brass instrument categories.
“I would accompany the A.B. Paterson students and we would camp out at HOTA for the whole week of the choral eisteddfods. We always had a lot of success,” Ms Davis said.
“As a conductor you stand on the stage. I remember at the end of each piece I’d turn around, bow, look at the adjudicator and think ‘please choose us’, and now I’m the one making that decision.”
Holly Shelton, 12, was one of the first to meet the new adjudicator yesterday, playing the violin twice – first in a trio with her friends, before accompanying her two brothers on stage.
With experience in teaching strings, percussion and piano, Ms Davis said adjudicating was all about constructive criticism.
“I like to think that I’m kind but fair. Everyone has lovely things about their performance and maybe I can find ways to give helpful critiques,” she said.
“My mum can tell me how wonderful I am but I want another professional to tell me what I need to work on to improve myself as a performer – I hope I’m giving that back to the students.”
The Gold Coast Eisteddfod runs until September 11, showcasing music, dance and speech performances at HOTA, and the Robina and Albert Waterways community centres.
STARS OF THE SHOW, PAGES 28-29