Grafton Jacaranda Festival moves dates after Covid outbreak

A Covid outbreak in Grafton has prompted changes to the town’s famous festival to allow more of community to attend.

This year’s Grafton Jacaranda Festival has been postponed due to Covid concerns and to allow for the whole community to attend.

It will be moved back to start its 10-day program on December 3.

Festival manager Mark Blackadder said the committee decided due to concerns about the number of infections in Grafton.

“It’s unfortunate we find ourselves in this situation, but with the number of infectious people increasing daily, we have no option but to do our part to keep the community safe,” he said.

“As Market Square has been designated a major recreational outdoor facility, we were also expecting no restrictions on who could attend, but the double-vax rule has since meant many who haven’t been fully vaccinated won’t be able to.

“Moving the festival five weeks back will alleviate both these issues and enable us to keep the tradition of the festival very much alive.”

Paper Daisy Florist went with a Secret Garden theme for last year’s parade.

Some events will keep their original dates due to programming requirements while the bulk of the festival will move to early December.

“All planned bus tours and walking tours will take place as normal, however we’ve had to keep a few of the events to their original dates as they involve touring artists who can’t change their schedule,” he said.

Mr Blackadder said The Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley concert would stay the same date but move to the Saraton Theatre, as would the 18+ Bob Downe and Briefs Dirty Laundry show.

The Briefs Bearded Bingo + Bob Downe show will be at a new venue.

The 2021 Jacaranda Queen Crowning will now be held on December 3.

“We will still have a very full program with all other events moving back, and the Jacaranda Queen Crowning starting the Festival on Friday December 3,” he said.

Details on the new program will be finalised in the coming days with updates available on the Jacaranda Festival website www.jacarandafestival.com.