Shepparton Festival was determined to offer the community a good time.
The festival, scheduled to run from April 5 to 21, hosted its grand opening on Friday, April 5, at the Shepparton Showgrounds Grandstand.
Children scoured the field to find the next action-packed activity or treat for their taste buds, of which there were plenty.
Dance party catalysts ‘Live Long and Sparkle’ boogied on through, inviting adults and children to join them for a twirl.
It was a circus — in fact, they were there too.
Minus the big top, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus held demonstrations and lessons that saw some attendees dare to defy gravity.
Meanwhile, Marli Kelly’s floral workshop served as an oasis of serenity for crafting floral armbands and headbands.
A standout of the event was the tunes.
Even those with Van Gogh’s ear for music revelled in the musical Stylings of Opera for Kids by Allegra Giagu and Ukefied! by Numurkah Ukulele Club.
Providing fuel to the festivities were a slew of food trucks such as Oh My Ceylon, Jam Packed Donuts, and Mr Sheppy.
For adults, a few cold ones were shared courtesy of the Shepparton Festival bar.
Then, at 5pm, attention was drawn to the official opening ceremony.
The masses were respectfully silent during a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony before artist talks and show previews commenced.
What was put forth for the grand opening was nothing short of electric.
But the festival has yet to reach its pinnacle.
Every year, the Shepparton Festival team lassos together the performance, music, literature, visual arts and food that celebrate our vibrant, creative community.
Kristen Retallick, director of Shepparton Festival, expressed her elation at the sight of the two-week program beginning to take shape.
“I’m most excited for the really contemporary programs we are putting in among all the other more known and loved programs,” she said.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali commended Ms Retallick and her team.
“In a world where we’re seeing events cancelled left, right and centre, to be able to have the Shepparton Festival going strong in its 28th year, which is very hard to believe, is an amazing effort,” he said.
During the grand opening, festival staff interacted with attendees at Rhonda the Roving Festival Hub, a one-stop shop to purchase tickets and pick up a copy of the festival guide.
Chatter buzzed among event-goers about the day’s resounding success.
But the 2024 Shepparton Festival is just getting started.
For more information and a full schedule of programs, visit https://sheppartonfestival.org.au/