By Emily-Rose Toohey
Stanthorpe’s Apple and Grape Festival for 2022 came to a close on Sunday 6 February.
Apple and Grape Harvest Festival president Russell Wantling said although numbers were lower than usual (no exact figure yet), there was a comfortable number of people in attendance.
“With all the problems we’ve had, it’s great that people turned up,” Russell said.
“I think we ticked all the boxes.”
Russell said it is a testament to the community that the event was a success.
“It takes a community to put on a community event,” he said.
“Everyone should be very proud.
“Every event was beautiful – I designed Weeroona Park to be Covid safe and the band said it was one of the best set ups they’d played at.”
He said that it was particularly incredible to see the amount the Apple and Grape Young Ambassadors raised – over $100,000.
“This ensures security for Apple and Grape’s future,” Russell said.
“Everyone’s a winner in my book and the ambassadors should be very proud of what they’ve done.”
After a rough few years, he said that the community just wanted to get out and have a good time, and the festival provided that.
“People came from everywhere to support us,” Russell said.
“Overall, it was perfect – everyone was raving.”
Highlights from the main weekend
The Apple and Grape Gala Ball
At the Exhibition Centre, locals and tourists showed up for an evening to celebrate the Young Ambassadors and their achievements were served delicious food and danced to live music.
Markets in the Mountains
Local artists displayed their work in the Civic Centre as people packed in to purchase these goods.
Street Carnival
Vendors and local creatives lined the main streets of Stanthorpe over Saturday and Sunday.
Grand Parade
Down Maryland and High Street, the grand parade occurred.
A display of old cars was part of this parade, and unfortunately, one stopped unexpectedly.
In order to continue the parade, three crowd members pushed the car until it was able to drive again – they jumped in with no hesitation.
Celebrity Grape Crush
The Young Ambassadors, Mayor Vic Pennisi, David Littleproud, and local media competed against each other in three separate competitions before a large crowd.
