THERE were a few showers but not enough to ruin Saturday’s parade to celebrate 60 years of the Redfest Strawberry Festival.
Representatives of organisations and businesses marched from the Donald Simpson Centre to the showgrounds bringing back memories for hundreds of thousands of people who have attended the festival over the years.
Festival director Luke Kinman said he remembered the first Strawberry Festival when he was five years old.
He said that he rode in the street parade with his father and brothers, ate strawberry ice-creams and enjoyed entertainment on offer.
This year Redfest provided more than 50 live performances by bands and dances, with more expected on Saturday night and Sunday.
The festival is open until 9.30pm on Saturday, with Rogue Traders performing from 8.30pm.
There will be fireworks at 7pm and an official welcome from 5.45pm.
The festival continues on Sunday from 10am until 4pm.
Mayor Karen Williams said Redfest was a much-loved local event that she remembered as a young girl growing up in the Redlands.
Redfest is run by a volunteer committee put in many hours of hard work over 12 months to organise the event.
