Mary Poppins Festival a great tourism drawcard

CRAIG WINTER

NOT only did locals and visitors enjoy the recent Mary Poppins Festival, but business owners also reaped the benefits as thousands of tourists flocked to the Heritage City.

CBD businesspeople enjoyed one of the busiest months of the year so far, after a lacklustre start to

2023, with many relieved that the streets were once again busy with traffic.

Some shops reported a jump in sales as much as 30%.

Despite threating rain, crowds gathered in Wharf Street and Queen’s Park to enjoy the spectacle of the Festival.

Highlights including the chimney sweeps race, dancers, and a cast of characters roaming the streets were again the top drawcards.

“There should be more attractions of this quality around regional Australia.” said Sharon Blake who travelled from from Lismore for the Festival.

“We’ll see you again!”