Hundreds of people queued at the Redfest ticket office on Saturday afternoon, such was the pulling power of Justice Crew, the headline act at 7.30pm.
Crowds also enjoyed the lantern parade which has become an intrinsic and unique feature of the festival, followed by fireworks. But it was the concert stage that drew the crowds with Justice Crew packing the tent and its surrounds, with people on shoulders, on chairs, and standing tall to get a peek at this high energy dance band.
Winners of the annual vocal contest got their first taste of fame as lead up performers to the main act.
This year’s winners were Liam Carey and Alisha Ford (seniors), Georgie Taylor and Tayla Norman (intermediate) and Luke Huntley and Max Fox (juniors). The contest is sponsored by the Redland Sporting Club and is a popular Redfest attraction.
“Through this contest, hundreds of vocalists have had a chance to perform and we have been able to watch them develop as performers. It is nice to be a part of this transition,” coordinator Doreen Thomas said.
According to Redfest president Luke Kinman, the new look festival had provided renewed energy and brought back both old faithfuls and some new people, keen to get involved with their local community.
“It’s not about the numbers. We are stoked with the turn out, but this was more about the energy and the buzz. The marquee for Justice Crew was packed to the rafters. We have just got the recipe right and it has brought in a younger crowd. I think this Redfest has put the Redlands on the map. It has attracted media attention across Queensland,” Mr Kinman said.
Performers and volunteers combined their work with pleasure, taking the time before and after gigs to sample their favourite Redfest delights. For some it was the entertainment, and for others, the children’s activities, rides, displays and more than 80 stalls.
But the biggest winner was the strawberry itself with high sales of strawberry icecreams and punnets of strawberries and a large turn out for the strawberry eating competition. Winners of the competition were Brook Martin 36 of Thornlands who ate 160g of strawberries in 24.4 seconds and Jade Simmons, 13, with 26.9 seconds.
The festival kicked off with an Irish night on Friday and finished with Troy Cassar Daley also pulling crowds on Sunday afternoon.
“Redfest is the only event in the Redlands that is run by the community for the community. This is what this area is all about. We have had a record number of volunteers, all chipping in,” Mr Kinman said.
Mr Kinman said a strategic plan had already been started for the next five years. He said Redfest had engaged Krista Hauritz as part of this initiative and there were ‘mystery shoppers’ at the festival to guage reactions to the various events. Next year marks the festival’s 60th year.
