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Laidley Street Parade to be a colourful sight

Updated: Jul 23

MEDIA RELEASE


Children and staff dressed in colo0urful hippy clothes on parade float.
2023 St Mary's Primary School Parade Float

Kids and adults alike are set to be wowed by the eclectic mix of decorative floats, farm machinery, vintage cars and roving performers when the hugely popular Laidley Street Parade returns this September. 


Always a showstopper, the iconic parade is the headline attraction of the Laidley Spring Festival – a three-day extravaganza that showcases the region’s mouthwatering produce, charming townships, unique tourist attractions and community spirit.  


Held from September 6-8, the theme for this year’s Festival is Spring Magic, which is sure to leave the crowds feeling spellbound with the range of family-friendly activities on offer.  

One person who will have an extra spring in their step for the Steet Parade - which will begin at 10am on September 7 - is Ron Johnstone. 


As the Lockyer Valley’s inaugural Town Crier, he has the honour of leading the parade with his bell.  


“I am very lucky in my role as Town Crier to be the first one to march down the street because I get to wave hello to everyone and see the excitement on their faces as the parade begins,” Ron says. 


“Every year there is something new and different to see, so I really enjoy seeing people’s eyes light up as we make our way through Laidley. 


“One vehicle that has been in the parade almost every year is the 1928 Linn half track logging tractor, which we believe is one of three logging tractors left in Australia, and the only one to be housed in a public museum. 


“It’s a real beauty and a festival favourite, and you can see it here in Laidley in the parade and at the Laidley Pioneer Village, which is where you will also find me most days.”  


Barbara Ryan, who is the resident artist at the Laidley Pioneer Village, says their float will have a nursery-rhyme theme.  


“This year our magic will revolve around the popular nursey rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle,” Barbara says. 


“We plan on having a cat play the fiddle, the cow that lives at the Pioneer Village jumping over the moon, a little dog laughing, and puppets to represent the dish running away from the spoon. 


“We will continue the nursery rhyme theme at the Pioneer Village over the course of the weekend for kids and adults to experience.”  


Another spectacular sight you can expect this year is an enormous stiletto. 


After being named Grand Champion in 2023, Cathy Harrison from Laidley Shoez is hoping to impress the judges again.  


“I had been part of the parade before when I was younger, but last year was the first time I had entered a float for the business and would you believe it, we won,” Cathy says.  


“I had often wondered how I would make a giant shoe, but then one day out of the blue this big red shoe appeared at the Laidley Hospital in a display. It was fate! 


“It was made for the Priscilla musical by a fella who works at the Laidley Hospital for his wife, who directs a lot of productions in Brisbane.  


“It was in quite a few shows, and even went on a float in Mardi Gras. 

“After it appeared at the hospital, I said I would give it a good home, so I took it and added lots of bling.  


“I didn’t expect to win, so it came as a really big shock. 


“I plan on using it every year and will change it up according to the different themes.  

 

 “I have already got a plan for what I will do, but you will have to come and see it in person. 

“You haven’t seen anything yet!”  


The parade will start on the corner of William and Ambrose Streets and then travel down William St, right into Patrick St, right into Spicer St and right onto Ambrose St, completing one lap before returning to the carpark marshalling area.  


Two of the best vantage points to park yourself for the parade is near Das Neumann Haus on William Street and around the corner in Spicer Street.  


Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan, says this is one event you won’t want to miss.  


“The Laidley Street Parade is our biggest street party of the year, and this year will be no exception,” she explains. 


“The parade will be bigger and better than ever, so be sure to get there early to line the streets and cheer on your favourite float.  


“The parade will go for roughly 45 minutes, which gives festival-goers plenty of time to then enjoy a full day of shopping in our boutiques, do some sightseeing, explore our many tourist attractions like the Laidley Pioneer Village, and immerse themselves in many other great events that will be held over the course of the weekend. 


“The nearby Laidley Recreational Reserve will be a hive of activity on Saturday with a full day of live entertainment, market stalls, food trucks and the Show ‘n’ Shine car competition. 


“Families can also delve into the Garden Competition, Gardening Fair, Orchid Show, Quilt and Craft Expo, Gem Show, Artists’ Exhibition, Twilight Feast and Fest, Bee Happy Day, Under 5s Day and the Das Neumann Haus Museum.”  


The Laidley Spring Festival has been a highlight of Queensland’s social calendar for 61 years, attracting thousands of people keen to soak up the sunshine and country hospitality for which the region is renowned for. 


This family-friendly event is conveniently located less than 30 minutes’ drive east of Toowoomba and one hour’s drive west of Brisbane.  


Keep an eye on the Laidley Spring Festival Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as the website for more announcements. Log onto www.laidleyspringfestival.com 


The 2024 Laidley Spring Festival wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the support of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Tourism and Events QueenslandKambu Health, The Lockyer & Somerset Independent, River 94.9, Pohlman’s Nursery, Australian Organic Farmers, and Urban Utilities.  

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