Ben McArthur
STOP the bus services, hold the traffic and clear the parking lots! That was the order for the region’s longest-running event, the Maffra Mardi Gras, which paraded along Johnson St last Saturday.
Floats began arriving on Saturday afternoon, but the event opened to the public at 4pm with kids’ activities taking place at the rotunda, including giant-sized games, arcades, face painting, a jumping castle, an animal farm, Whacky Wombat performances, circus workshop and stalls including one called Glow Skin Clinic that did microneedling onsite.
There was also a Bluey mascot who helped hand out show bags of popcorn, biscuits, a muesli bar and a drink as well as music by locals May McCubbin and Strzelecki Spring Busters.
The grand parade began at 6pm with an ‘OUTER SPACE’ theme, led by the Maffra Municipal Band and Maffra residents nine-year-old Leo and seven-year-old Evie.
Many of the floats referenced movies such as the one by the Maffra Show, which had appearances by Doctor Who, Princess Leia and a NASA astronaut.
This year’s Maffra Show organiser Kath Coggan said the Maffra Show had been part of the floats fleet every year since 2012.
“Our theme is to present space on the screen and look at all the movies and TV shows that have been made,” she said.
Member of Parents and Friends at St Mary’s School, Suzanne Gately, said that much like many local schools, the Maffra Mardi Gras was added into the school’s curriculum, with the students painting stars and planets.
She called it a “learning opportunity” to teach students about space.
The event was organised by the Maffra Rotary Club.
Maffra Mardi Gras Committee Member Claire Cochrane said she was proud of helping to put on the events and that it always creates memories.
“It’s a chance for adults to bring their kids and have an evening of fun and relaxation, and the floats are a big part of that tradition,” she said.
“There are adults nowadays who remember their floats when they were in school.
“But it’s not just the floats; there are children’s activities too, and we’ve tried to make them free or low-cost so that families can come along for the day and not spend anything if they don’t want to.”
The Maffra Mardi Gras has run almost every year since it began in 1957 to raise funds for a hospital. Since then, it has grown to tens of thousands of spectators and numerous floats.
The Maffra Rotary Group takes a small percentage of stallholders’ fees, which will go back into the community.
One of the purchases made from last year’s Mardi Gras was a big fridge/freezer for the Maffra community house, although this year, they aren’t sure where the money will go.
“We have nothing specific (in mind); we’re just going to wait and see when a community is in need.”
There was $8250 worth of prizes.
