EXPRESS The
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Locally owned and proudly independent
Small town comes alive for Festival
Gypsy Busato (centre) was crowned Queen on Saturday night, Miss Personality and Charity Princess was Kaysie Butler (left) and Mary Smith was crowned festival Princess (right).
Dimbulah Lions Festival 2017 went off with a bang By Rebecca Wallis Fireworks, fun and festivities were looming large at this year’s Dimbulah Lions Festival. Thousands turned up to watch the street parade, sample the eclectic food and see who would be crowned Queen. “I was a bit worried initially be-
cause the month of may was just jam packed with festivities, from the Northern Nats, the Wheelbarrow Race and three days of the Field Days,” said Lions president Eddie Toffanello. “I was a little bit concerned we weren’t going to get such a crowd but the enormity of the crowd that turned up this year was bigger and better than last year I think according to some re-
7
ports. It was great.” One of the highlights of the festival are the food stalls showcasing cuisines from all over the world from Italy, Spain, Croatia, the Phillipines, Holland and Switzerland. “This year we hit the nail on the head – we had taste, we had quantity and all our food stall suppliers were so happy,” said Mr Toffanello.
“And most of them sold out. One stall has been cooking gnocchi and in an hour he sold out - he sold about 30kg of gnocchi in that time! Next year he said he’d have to bring 60kg.” The wood choppers were a huge hit with the crowds. Kenny the Woodchopper has been coming to the festival for over 10 years and this year brought with him 13 wood choppers who put
on an exciting display of wood chopping skill and talent. Huge anticipation surrounded the crowning of the Queens and princesses with the ultimate title going to Gypsy Busato. Miss Personality and Charity Princess went to Kaysie Butler and Mary Smith was crowned the festival Princess. Continued P21
EST. 1911
PIRATE PARTY @ THE PUB 8PM TILL LATE - DJ DISCOTECHNICS