MARACCAS were playing and dancers were swaying across Tenterfield on the weekend as Tenterfield’s Wintersong Carnival launched into full swing.
More than 30 floats, cars and walkers took part in a colourful parade on Saturday and events included markets after the parade, the Peter Allen and Liza Minelli lookalike contest, Peter Allen walking tours, the Troubadours Tribute Concert on Friday night, and the Wintersong Tribute Concert on Sunday.
Wintersong Committee president Gail Galloway said while the carnival was usually only held every second year, there was a possibility it could be held again in 2013 to mark the 21st anniversary of Peter Allen’s death.
Ms Galloway said the Wintersong concept had originally been hard to get off the ground.
“For the first carnival, in 2010, we had a committee of three and we had a lot of resistance,” she said.
“Wintersong has been a challenge. We had resistance from the old guard with homophobic attitudes.
“People have had a cultural cringe against Peter Allen. His sexuality overshadowed his celebrity and talent.
“Even in the first year we had to show that this could be done.”
Ms Galloway said carnival events had “gone off without a hitch” and the weather had been perfect.
“We were very blessed with the weather,” she said. “I think Peter Allen was doing us a favour from upstairs.”
The Borderline Regional Arts Association won the best float for their decorated van featuring artwork and frames.
Spokesman for the judges and Peter Allen’s cousin Terry Kneipp said the Borderline van showed “a lot of creativity and was outstandingly original”.
Others on the shortlist were the Tenterfield Show Society, The Tenterfield Star, and both the Tenterfield and Granite Belt physical culture groups.
The winner of the Carnival Spirit prize - the group or business that shows the best involvement in the carnival - was Tenterfield Bakery.
David Giles correctly guessed the weight of the giant pompom at 5kg.