They call it a community fair for a reason.
On Sunday, November 3, community members and visitors congregated on the banks of the Bullanginya Lagoon to peruse homemade handicrafts, try their hand at hookey and otherwise soak up the warm spring day.
Community River Arts president and organiser Sandi Hamilton said the fair was very successful.
“The public supported the event, and we had excellent feedback from stallholders and visitors,” Mrs Hamilton said.
“People said it was well-organised, [that] it had that community feel about it, and it was great to see the children involved from the local schools.
“Everybody was enjoying the atmosphere.”
It was a showcase of a range of homemade art products, with mosaic artists, painters, sketchers, potters, knitters all assembling to display their work.
Mrs Hamilton said the fair was an opportunity to showcase the artists to the community.
“That experience has been very successful,” Mrs Hamilton said.
While staff from Barooga Public School kept up a flow of hotdogs and barbecue fare, students sold jelly cups and Zooper Doopers to passers-by.
“The kids were absolutely awesome - they were so well presented,” Mrs Hamilton said.
She confirmed the community fair will return on March 9 next year after the positive community feedback.
“We did achieve what we aimed to do - it’s all about community for us, to involve community.”
All funds raised from raffle ticket sales have gone towards the installation of a new playground at Barooga Public School.
Community River Arts is a volunteer-run not-for-profit dedicated to showcasing the connections between community and creative art.
The event was the first of its kind to be organised by the Barooga-based group.
The group will be running a Christmas Tree Auction on Saturday, November 30, to raise critical funds for Foodbank Victoria.
Tickets to attend the fundraiser can be purchased for $45pp by visiting the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559173414978