Thousands crowd Todd Mall for Alice Springs Bangtail Muster

A May Day tradition since 1959, Alice Springs’ annual Bangtail Muster saw record entries this year as thousands gathered in the Todd Mall for the parade. See all the photos here.

Thousands have lined the streets of the Todd Mall to watch a parade full of pirates, Vikings, dancers and BMX riders of all ages for this year’s annual Bangtail Muster.

Parade co-ordinator Eli Melky said there were record entries this year, with 35 floats making their way along the 1km course, including all three major boats from the towns Henley on Todd Regatta.

“They rounded up the parade for us this year, it’s the first time we’ve got the navy, the Vikings and the pirate boys all together,” he said.

The muster has taken place on the first Monday of May every year since 1959, when it was first organised by the town’s Rotary Club as a celebration of the cattle industry.

The pirate float at the annual Bangtail Muster. The pirates, Vikings and navy boats are the three “major boats” at the towns famous Henley on Todd Regatta event.

“Over the years it’s developed into a community parade and moved away from the cattle industry as such, and it’s become more of a community event that lots of preschool children are a part of,” he said.

“It used to be a week long event, the whole town got involved in the Bangtail Muster week, there were different things including a ball, all the shops were decorated.”

“We’ve got members of the Rotary Club who are over 60 who remember when they were preschool kids as part of the parade, so it’s quite interesting listening to that.”

The Rotary Club handed out awards at the event, with Braitling Primary School winning Best Parade Float, Girl Guides Alice Springs winning Best Community Float, Rona Glynn preschool winning Best Preschool Float and Studio B School of Dance winning Best Sporting float.

Studio B School of Dance won Best Sporting Float at the muster.

Mr Melky said it had been a great day all around, with thousands either lining the streets or involved in the parade itself.

“It’s always great when the parade comes together, I know I’d be tarred and feathered if I didn’t put it on properly,” he said.

“We cancelled it for two years during Covid-19 and if we were to cancel it again the backlash from the community would just be, well I think they’d line me up and throw me out of town.”

Children from the Alice Springs BMX club at the annual Bangtail Muster.

Children from the Alice Springs BMX club at the annual Bangtail Muster.

Mayor Matt Paterson waves to schoolchildren in their float at the annual parade.

Union members showed up in force for the May Day celebration.

Alice Springs members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ahead of the muster’s starting line.

Members of the Electrical Trades Union wait for the muster to kick off.

The theme for this years muster was Imagine, with John Lennon’s classic hit playing from loudspeakers at several stages of the event.

Muster organiser Eli Melky said the parade originally began as a celebration of the cattle industry but had turned into a big event for preschoolers over the years.

The Vikings ahead of their famous boat used in the annual Henley on Todd regatta.

Dragracers and vintage cars were also on full display during the event.

HMAS Courage, usually used on the Henley on Todd regatta, during the Bangtail Muster.

Alice Springs Town Crier Meredith Campbell waves to a passing car at the end of the parade.

Cars of all sizes with drivers of all ages snaked town the Todd Mall for the muster.

The Todd Mall was jam-packed for the annual May Day tradition.

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley waves as the parade nears it’s end outside the Todd Tavern.

There was a record number of entries at this years muster, with 35 floats featured in the parade.

The Central Australian Frack Free Alliance had several signs on display during the muster.

The Viking, navy and pirate ship boats are major drawcards for the town’s Henley on Todd regatta.

The independent Education Union at the Alice Springs Bangtail Muster.