Jumpers and Jazz in July kicks off for its 21st year on the Southern Downs

A bond between two women who met in year 8 has never been broken, with the pair reunited over their love of art. Here’s what to expect at this year’s iconic Jumpers and Jazz in July.

Southern Queensland’s quirky and unique arts festival has become a fanfare for tourists each July, uniting old friends over a shared love of creativity.

In case you missed the signs, the intricately designed and handmade tree jumpers lining Warwick’s Palmerin St are a telltale giveaway that the annual Jumpers and Jazz in July festival has graced the Rose City.

Now in its 21st year, the annual event continues to be a hit with the community and tourists from far and wide.

Best friends since high school, Sarah Round and Jessica Thompson found their way back to Warwick with their shared love for art and creativity.

Ms Thompson has entered the tree jumper competition each year since the festival began in 2004, while Ms Round joined in 2018.

“It’s come a long way from lots of things tied to a tree, now it’s massive art installations that have taken painstaking hours and other amazing things,” Ms Thompson said.

“People just come to see the spectaculars of it.”

Best friends since high school Jessica Thompson (L) and Sarah Round (R) with their tree jumpers designed for the 2025 Jumpers and Jazz in July festival. Photo: Jessica Klein

While the event is now among a string of major Southern Downs events, for Ms Round it’s wonderful to see her former hometown thriving.

“I really love making and doing so it’s just really exciting to have the opportunity to exhibit,” Ms Round said.

The pair were the least bit surprised by their reunion, discovering they now live one suburb away from each other in Brisbane.

Tree jumpers aside, this year’s Yarntopian installation Enchanted Forest is one not to be missed, along with wearable art designed by local artisans.

Festival organiser Pam Burley said despite a tight budget, the volunteer-led team has worked to deliver yet another spectacular event.

“The diversity of people who are involved in the festival is incredible, I don’t know of too many other festivals that can boast the level of community participation that we have,” she said.

Jumpers and Jazz in July festival organiser Pam Burley with some of the impressive wearable art on display at this year's festival. Photo: Jessica Klein

Ms Burley said while the events committee continues to incorporate community feedback, it’s not always possible due to budget restraints.

“We can’t continue to keep on doing things for nothing because it doesn’t cost us nothing, it costs us a lot of money and we need to be able to generate some income to allow us to be self-sustaining,” she said.

The festival kicked off on July 17 and will run until July 27, with a combination of free and paid events across the two weeks.

Among the first weekend highlights is the Grand Automobile Display on Sunday, followed by the Stroll and Swing in the Park, Local Flavours Long Lunch the following Saturday.

Originally published as Jumpers and Jazz in July kicks off for its 21st year on the Southern Downs