Day 1: Friday guide to Snowflakes in Stanthorpe

The Granite Belt’s magical winter festival has finally arrived and here is everything you need to know to make sure you make the most of the first day of the epic three-day event.

Guide to day one of the Snowflakes in Stanthorpe festival. Photo: Liana Turner / NRM Staff

Snowflakes in Stanthorpe begins Friday and there are plenty of fun things to do and entertainment acts and shows to see.

Here is your guide to the first day of the winter festival:

Entertainment

All day Friday there will be live acts heating things up on Maryland Street.

Graniteers and Nine Year Sister will perform among other awesome local talent to present some rocking gigs that are not to be missed.

WHERE: Maryland Street main stage

WHEN: From 9am with the last act performing at 3.30pm

Chainsaw ice sculpture competition

To watch some of the local tradies in action, head down to the ice sculpting competition.

The tradesmen will use their chainsaw skills to create ice sculptures.

WHEN: 4.15pm

WHERE: Outside Mitre 10 on Maryland Street

Ice skating rink

Put your skates on and have a whole of lot of fun on the synthetic ice rink, which is also bigger than previous years.

Practise your skating moves while you glide on the ice, an activity which is bound to be a whole lot of fun for everyone.

WHEN: 9am-5pm

WHERE: Peter Bonner Exhibition Centre at the Showgrounds

COST: $15 for 25 minutes

Stalls

For a taste of some of the region’s finest foods head down to one of the numerous food and produce stalls and the wine pavilion.

To walk away with a souvenir handcrafted by some local talent visit the artisan market.

WHEN: 9am-4pm

WHERE: Maryland Street marketeers

Photo booth

Get together with friends and family and take some happy snaps in the enchanted forest photo booth.

Once you have said cheese, take home the photos to remember your adventures at Snowflakes.

WHEN: 9am-5pm

WHERE: Maryland Street

Chalk art competition

Get creative when you draw up a chalk masterpiece in this competition.

Choose from an array of chalk colours that will paint the streets of Stanthorpe.

WHEN: 9.15-10.30am (registration is at the info booth on Maryland Street between 8.30 and 9am).

WHERE: High Street

Fashion parade

Some of the town’s best winter wonderland clothing items will on full display in the Snowflakes fashion parade that kicks off in the morning.

Watch the models strut their stuff showcasing the latest winter attire including jumpers, scarfs, beanies and coats from Gracious Giving, Granite Country Collections and Jas-sar-jes.

There will also be a special showcasing of the Stanthorpe Alpaca Group’s latest collections of locally made wool items.

WHEN: 11am

WHERE: At the pedestrian crossing in front of the Country Club Hotel Motel on Maryland Street

Lantern parade

Watch as the kids show off their wonderful works of art in this parade on Friday evening.

Children who decorated their lanterns in the lantern making workshop earlier that day will show off their designs.

WHEN: 5.15pm

WHERE: Begins at Pierpoint Motors on Maryland Street

Fireworks

Rounding out day one is the amazing fireworks display lighting up the night sky with all the colours of the rainbow.

Hear the bangs as the fireworks burst and rug up in a warm blanket as you enjoy the spectacle.

WHEN: 6pm

WHERE: Quart Pot Creek, Rotary Park

Laser show

For the first time at Snowflakes, watch different coloured lasers, patterns and snowflake designs shine on the glistening water.

This family-fun event will also be an experience for the ears, with music playing during the show.

WHEN: 5.30pm

WHERE: Quart Pot Creek, Rotary Park

More exciting previews, galleries and information on Snowflakes in Stanthorpe can be found here on the Border Post page each day in the lead up to and during the festival.