Thousands fill Prince St for Marketta

take in the entertainment provide in the street and on the big stage.

The Marketta, funded by the NSW Government Streets as Shared Spaces Program, was a joint effort of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, Clarence Valley Council and the Jacaranda Festival.

Jacaranda Festival manager Mark

Blackadder was delighted as he moved around the stalls and events in the packed street.

“Everyone involved has responded amazingly well,” he said. “And from the crowds we’ve got here, we certainly got the marketing right.

A member of the Bent Bridge Brewing team, Mick Harris, spoke for many of the stall holders.

“It didn’t just happen, there was so much work going on behind the scenes in the lead up to it,” he said.

“But it’s been all worth it. All the stalls are local businesses and that’s made for a real community atmosphere in the street.

The main stage on the Fitzroy St roundabout was the focus of the night with a continuous array of entertainers.

Uncle Ken Gordon kicked off the entertainment with a Welcome to Country and introduced e Garimaa Ngahri Dancers.

A highlight of the dancing was Lennox Monaghan playing the yidaki (similar to a didgeridoo).

Performances from Eli Fahey and his band, Hats Off and the Ryan Martin Trio kept the crowds bopping into the night.

There was also plenty for younger people with free face painting, balloon art and street art stalls all doing a roaring trade.