General News
6 April, 2024
A cracking weekend in Warracknabeal
Warracknabeal Easter Festival was again a crowd pleaser with a raft of inviting activities planned by Warracknabeal Action Group (WAG).
WAG president Diane Marchment said the weekend ran very smoothly.
"We were very lucky with the weather given it rained on Monday," she said.
Good Friday festivities started at 9am with pilates by Warracknabeal Boat Ramp with Sukah Pilates followed by an Easter egg hunt with Warracknabeal Playgroup at Anzac Park.
Ms Marchment said more than 50 children attended this Easter egg hunt.
The day finished with a cemetery tour with Graeme Massey.
Even with a chilly start to the day, the sun emerged to result in perfect weather for a perfect Easter Saturday.
About 25 volunteers including WAG and 3393 Auto Club members helped with first aid and street marshalling for the street parade on Easter Saturday morning.
Scott Street was bustling with families and dogs with hundreds showing up.
The day began with a free breakfast for people and their furry friends at Kelsall Street Dog Park organised by the town's Rotary Club. This was a new event.
An Easter egg hunt at the Scott Street Community Garden was once again a major success.
Community Garden secretary Marie Aitken said there was a great atmosphere in the garden during both hunts.
"The first hunt was at 9am for the children participating in the parade," she said.
For the second hunt at 10:30am, Ms Aitken said the front gate had to be closed as there were too many children wanting to participate.
"They then were let in by age groups," she said.
"Tokens were hidden throughout the garden for the children to find and then they took them to Easter bunny helpers to exchange for four to five eggs."
When lunchtime came around, the garden's famous baked spud lunch was on offer which drew in a line of people eager to get their hands on one.
Lions Club Community Market was in the IGA carpark where plants, homemade cakes and biscuits, handbags and more, were sold.
Kids were fortunate enough to have two face painters stationed on the street.
Uniting Church volunteers provided a barbecue in front of the post office at 11am.
The Ladies Rest Rooms was a venue for the sale of homemade jams, pickles and preserves as well as scones with jam and cream.
At 11am Scott Street became a hotspot for crowds wanting to view the parade with every possible vantage space taken quickly.
Trevor Hunter and Dion Woods were MCs for the grand parade where 85 vehicles were on show.
Classic cars, an army jeep, classic bikes, vintage tractors, gophers and more were showcased in the parade.
Rosettes were awarded to Christopher Leskie of Horsham with his 1969 Honda 750 in first place, Scott Morrow from Horsham with his '67 VC Valiant and 1955 Supalite Atlas caravan came in second, and the 1926 Dodge Brothers Ambulance owned and restored twice by Ian McCorkelle from Bendigo placed third.
Mascots from Home Timber and Hardware sat on the back of a ute, waving to children on the sidelines.
Community groups including Warracknabeal Scouts Group, Lutheran church, Warracknabeal fire brigade running team and the Warracknabeal Hockey Club participated in the parade.
Happy Cabs also had their car in the parade as well as their special guest, the Easter bunny.
Warracknabeal CFA Brigade showcased their vehicles, causing a wave of excitement throughout the crowd as they turned on their flashing lights and sirens for the children.
About 30 cars and 10 motorbikes were on show in a Show 'n Shine in Woolcock Street where prizes were awarded to Steve Krahe from Dimboola, Greg Gibson from Warracknabeal, Archie Stehn from Horsham, Dave Lloyd from Horsham and Ian McCorkelle from Bendigo.
Creative Hive Warracknabeal had creative displays in Scott Street windows and in The General Store.
Kids had their art displayed in Wheatlands Machinery Museum for attendees to peruse.
Festivities continued at the museum with machinery demonstrations and displays, a pallet maze and other children's activities to enjoy.
The twilight tractor pull drew in a crowd of machinery enthusiasts and spectators at 5pm.
Lesley Stephan from Wheatland Machinery Museum said the event was very well supported.
"There was a really good turn out and a good crowd," she said.
Easter Sunday was a fun-filled family day that kicked off at 10am at the museum.
The museum became the venue for food vans, kids' activities, a children's zoo, Tiny Goat's Co., Balloonatic Bruce and more.
"There was lots to do, very enjoyable," Mrs Stephan said.
"The WAG events committee and museum staff worked really well together to put this on," Ms Marchment said.
Singer Peter Clayton performed, keeping crowds entertained, and was followed by Sam and Sam.
Ms Marchment said the day was "amazing".
"There was a really good turnout," she said.
WAG events committee member Stacey Drage said it was a really good day despite the heat.
"We sourced lots of marquees so there was extra shade," she said.
"We just would like to thank all the volunteers involved in making it a successful weekend, they put in a lot of hours," Ms Marchment said.
WAG will meet next Tuesday at 7pm at the shire office for an Easter weekend debrief.
She said everyone was welcome to attend to pass on feedback about the festivities.
