The 2017 Festival of Fisher’s Ghost has wrapped up for another year after 10 days jam packed with colour, activity and entertainment.
Good crowds of locals and visitors lined Queen Street, Campbelltown to see floats inspired by this year’s theme, Bringing back old school in the first ever twilight street parade in the 62 year history of the festival.
The street fair, held on the first Saturday of the festival, on the same day as the street parade, offered lots of family entertainment with market-style stalls, stage and roaming performers, and activities including a rock climbing wall and inflatable slide, transforming the CBD’s Mawson Park and Queen Street precinct.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr George Brticevic, said council was proud to host such a diverse and creative program of activities.
“I was out and about enjoying as many activities as I could, including the carnival with its variety of rides and sideshow alley, and the fun run at Western Sydney University, which I’ve participated in a number of times,” he said.
“Many other activities proved popular as well this year, including the fireworks on both Saturday nights, the awesome talent on show at Fisher’s Gig, and Fisher’s Kids and Fisher’s Ghost Art Award Exhibition at Campbelltown Arts Centre.”
Cr Brticevic congratulated the winners of the street parade, Tartan is Groovy, which paid homage to Fisher’s Ghost street parades of the 1970s, with tartan clad hippies, a tartan combie van and the Bay City Rollers.
Tartan is Groovy also took out the Best Themed Cultural Group caegory.
“Parade participants were enthusiastic about the parade’s move to the evening, and clearly had fun with this year’s theme, as shown by the fantastic effort that went into the Tartan is Groovy float.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to making this year’s festival a great success – from the parade participants and street fair stallholders, to the sponsors and residents who put their community spirit on show throughout the 10 days.”
The 2017 Festival of Fisher’s Ghost Street Parade prize winners were:
• First Overall ($800) – Tartan is Groovy;
• Second Overall ($600) – Millennium Dance Productions;
• Best Themed Band ($400) – Ingleburn RSL and Campbelltown Community Pipes and Drums;
• Best School ($200) – Thomas Reddall High School;
• Best Themed Cultural Group ($200) – Tartan is Groovy;
• Best Themed Community Organisation or Local Club ($200) – Mermaid Tempest and Friends;
• Best Themed Wheels and Hooves ($200) – Penny Farthing;
• Best Themed Performance Group ($200) – Millennium Dance Productions;
• Best Themed Sporting Team ($200) – Macarthur Dog Training.
