Venetian Carnival gets back to the river

By Tim Howard

A centrepiece of Grafton historic Jacaranda Festive will make its return to the banks of the Clarence River this year.

The Venetian Carnival, an evening of dance, music and theatre that drew its inspiration from the waterways of Venice, was moved from its riverbank home after the 2019 festival.

Festival manager Mark Blackadder said the combination of Covid-19 and the construction of the Grafton Riverside Precinct had caused the change of venue for the past four years.

“It’s been held in Market Square for the past few years,” Mr Blackadder said. “But it was always under the proviso it would go back to the riverside after construction was completed.”

He said the new riverside precinct would provide the best venue for the performances, which will for the first time in four years feature fireworks.

He said the good news continued revealing the carnival sponsor this year would be the Crown Hotel Motel.

“With the Crown on board and being a venue right where the carnival happens, this can’t help to make it bigger, better, and more spectacular than ever before,” Mr Blackadder said.

He was also excited that fireworks would return as the culmination of the evening’s entertainment.

“That’s been a tradition of the event we’ve not been able to keep for the past few years away from the river,” he said.

Mr Blackadder said the festival has secured the services of Mr Fireworks International for the show.

He said the carnival was a chance to Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours, enchanting music, and captivating performances that transport you to the heart of Jacaranda while indulging in mouthwatering delights from local food vendors.

He said the 2023 Jacaranda Festival had just about shaken off disruptions wrought by fire, floods and pandemic over the past four years.

“Getting the Venetian Carnival back to the riverbank was one of the last things we needed to do there,” he said.

He said despite the 2023 festival program being out for a while, there were still some big announcements to be made.

He said preparations for the big feature concert would include the names of two of the regions highest profile performers.

“We’re working with their management to get them signed and when it happens we’ll make the big announcement,” Mr Blackadder said.

The Jacaranda Festival officially begins on October 27 and continues until November 5. But there will be events outside those times.