MELONFEST A SMASH HIT
MILLIONS of vital dollars flowed in to the drought-ravaged Western Downs thanks to the hugely successful Chinchilla Melon Festival at the weekend.
Early crowd estimates put the number of festival fans between 17,000 and 20,000 for the biennial event which celebrates the rural community and sweet watermelon.
Western Downs Mayor Paul McVeigh said attendance “was just incredible” with crowds flooding the streets and delivering a sorely needed economic investment in the regional town.
“Every event was just amazing,” Cr McVeigh said.
“At the official opening if you looked up and down the streets there were people everywhere.
“And why it is so successful is it’s very much about family fun, and the melon itself is a fun fruit.”
With hundreds of selfies taken with the Wotif sponsored Big Melon, Chinchilla was the jewel in the Western Downs’ crown across the weekend.
Cr McVeigh said the event’s success showed the region’s resilience against the drought and tough conditions.
“It takes a lot of stress away,” he said.
“It also shows the community that, whether people came from Brisbane, Gladstone, NSW or wherever, they came along to support our rural communities.
“That has brought millions of dollars into our community.”
He thanked major sponsor Wotif, as well as the organising committee and pioneers of the first festival 25 years ago.