Inside Grafton Jacaranda Festival: trip down memory lane | Photo Gallery
Since the 1930s the Grafton Jacaranda Festival has delighted locals and tourists alike – take a trip down memory lane in our mega photo gallery.
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Grafton’s first Jacaranda Festival was held on October 29, 1935, and this year’s event is just around the corner.
In mid October and early November, the streets and parks of Grafton are transformed into a purple wonderland when the jacarandas explode in all their glory.
In 1879, Mr HA Volkers, a Grafton seed merchant, was contracted to plant trees for Grafton Council. During the 1880s he was instrumental in supplying and planting hundreds of jacaranda trees in the streets of Grafton.
Jacaranda trees have flowers in maroon and white as well as the popular blue-mauve.
Life expectancy may be up to 200 years if in private care, and the timber is a creamy to rich yellow pinkish colour and may be used for ornamental woodwork.
A custom particular to the Grafton Jacaranda Festival is the naming of the Jacaranda Baby.
Each year the baby born closest to the time of the Jacaranda Queen crowning is bestowed the prestigious title.
This year’s festival will be held from October 28 to November 6.
Events include The Jacaranda Ball on October 15, a fun run on October 30 and many other concerts and special events.
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