ABOUT 17,000 people – much the same as last year’s numbers – attended the Redfest Strawberry Festival on the weekend.
Festival director Luke Kinman said the festival showed that community spirit was alive in the Redlands.
Redfest numbers similar to last year | Photos, videos
STRAWBERRY FEAST: Elijah Martin, 3, of Thornlands stepped into his father's footsteps as the youngest entrant in the strawberry eating competition at Redfest on Sunday. Elijah’s dad Brook Martin was last year's winner and a finalist this year.
Elijah Martin, 3, of Thornlands with his dad Brook Martin, deputy mayor Lance Hewlett and Cr Wendy Boglary.
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Jamie Crust, with Harry Venning-McNeish, 5, of Toowoomba. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Alex Metter, 5, of Kenmore. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Belly dancing. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Anthony O'Leary, 7, and Hayden O'Leary, 6, of Coffs Harbour. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The strawberry eating competition. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Sammie Jordan and Darsey De Silva, of Cleveland District State High School. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Strawberries Jordan Baas and Tegan Hickey. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Redland Bay Uniting Church members Lesley and Ross Clark, Mary Bunker and Melda Tarlington serve up strawberry sundaes. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Madeleine Farmer, 7, and Hendrix Farmer, 4, of Alexandra Hills, with Nell Benson, of Cleveland District State High School, and (back) Patrick Thew, 5, of Capalaba. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
A smile and wave during the Redfest parade before the opening of Redfest Strawberry Festival on Saturday. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Daufi Spitler, 6, and Quajo Spitler, 9, of Ormiston try out an SES vehicle. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Strawberry eating competition. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Rhys Daley and Mick White from Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club with Liam Deavin, 12, and Lachlan Deavin, 8, of Alexandra Hills. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
The parade. Photo: Cheryl Goodenough
Jett Brownlie, 8, and Dax Brownlie, 3, of Thornlands.
“Redfest put the Redlands on the map, with people travelling from some distance to attend,” Mr Kinman said.
“It certainly is bringing people to the Redlands.”
Umbrellas were out on Saturday, especially during the parade, and some displays were cancelled on Saturday due to the weather.
Mr Kinman said more than 50 community groups were involved in Redfest and had used the festival to showcase their organisations.
“It is rare for so many groups to be involved in one event,” he said.
Overall the feedback about the weekend had been positive but organisers would continue to make improvements.
“The event is run by volunteers, with no one paid so it’s a big effort.”
Mr Kinman said the parade could again become a feature of the festival if there was sufficient support from the community.