Taste of Tasmania crowds enjoy aday of good karma

THE Tasmanian Buddhist community is bringing good karma and an air of calm to this year’s Taste of Tasmania.

THE Tasmanian Buddhist community is bringing good karma and an air of calm to this year’s Taste of Tasmania, coming on board as event partners for the first time.

A Lion Dance presented by the Tasmanian Chinese Buddhism Academy of Australia drew a large crowd while the Young Living Buddhists imp­ressed with a meditation presentation.

“Again, we had a jam-packed program for Kids in the Park, with cooking lessons, performances and a cartooning workshop, before the ­Twilight Cinema with everyone’s favourite, Shaun the Sheep,” Taste spokesman Damon Thomas said.

GALLERY: TASTE OF TASMANIA

A performance by Chinese lions on Parliament House Lawns.

The lions duel in a colourful show for the crowd.

A crowd of more than 4000 welcomed in the new year at Princes Wharf as part of the Taste’s New Year’s Eve Party.

Party-goers were treated to food and drinks as well as a funk-and-soul entertainment line-up, with many people, including the stallholders, opting to dress up.

Alderman Thomas said New Year’s Day at the Taste was traditionally a popular day for families, and yesterday was no exception. It had a relaxed and casual atmosphere and good crowds.

Young Living Buddhas perfoming Buddhist meditation on Parliament House Lawns. Pictures: SAM ROSEWARNE

“Effectively, the family festival aspect of the Taste has been carried through,” he said.

Ald Thomas paid a special tribute to the stallholders.

“These are Tasmanian businesses using Tasmanian produce and employing Tasmanians, many of them younger people starting out in the job market.

“I would like to personally thank them for their dedication and support and look forward to working with them and enjoying their dishes over the next two days of our festival.”

Today at Kids in the Park on Parliament Lawns, there will be a cricket clinic with members of the Hobart Hurricanes.

How the stallholders rate the Taste: In your Sunday Tasmanian tomorrow