General News
20 September, 2023
Finishing touches on Colour Terang Festival
THE award-winning Colour Terang Festival is shaping up to have its biggest year yet when the event returns next week.
THE award-winning Colour Terang Festival is shaping up to have its biggest year yet when the event returns next week.
Members of the Terang Progress Association (TPA) have been preparing to make High Street awash with vibrant colour and celebration throughout next Friday’s (September 29) AFL Grand Final public holiday from 10am-3pm.
A wide range of activities have been lined up to ensure there will be something for everyone.
The Royal Flying Doctors will be bringing their plane simulator to town, there will be a professional caricaturist, virtual reality games and experiences, a dinosaur show, a petting zoo, live music, hot
rods, jumping castles and, of course, the highly-anticipated colour splash.
A selection of food vendors and stalls will be available to satisfy even the fussiest of tastebuds.
TPA president Ken McSween said the organising committee had maintained a focus on keeping things fresh each year.
“We figure that’s our best chance to keep it alive and interesting because you can come every year and see something different,” he said.
“The premise of the festival has always been for people to come along without feeling like they have to put their hands in the pocket.
“With economic pressures at the moment people are looking for that stuff, and nothing’s going to cost you more than five dollars.
“Around 90 per cent of the activities on the day are completely free.”
Organising members of the Colour Terang Festival have prioritised supporting local businesses through the festival, with stalls sought which do not conflict with existing stores and businesses encouraged to get involved on the day.
TPA’s Gabrielle O’Brien said the low-to-no cost nature tied in to the hope of driving economic support for local business; keeping costs to a minimum leaves more money to be spent at stores on the day.
“Some of the shop keepers have been talking about getting involved, so it’s not just our committee,” she said.
“I know Greavesys is going to have a big day and the ladies in the arcade (Chelsea Pope, Rusty Spanner Studio and Liz Gannon, Once upon a chair) will be open.
“A big part of festivals is looking at how it can be of economic benefit to the town, which is what we want.
“The stores that do open know there is going to be a crowd there and have given feedback saying it has been a great event to bring in the customers.”
Ms O’Brien said while drawing visitors to town was a boost, so too was providing an event which could bring the community together.
“I think there is only two events in Terang where the community have the chance to get together and celebrate; Colour Terang, and Gala Night just before Christmas.
“People want to catch up and see their neighbours, it’s a lot of fun because you know you’re going to meet people down the street and it’s a social occasion to reconnect people in addition to the activities.”
Hosting the event on the public holiday while keeping High Street open to traffic has been a deliberate decision to attract visitors passing through ahead of the long weekend.
“It’s just a great opportunity to showcase our community to the broader community,” TPA’s Ben Dennis said.
“On the long weekend we get a lot of traffic coming through, and that’s the reason why we don’t block off the highway; to try and promote the community and get people not just driving through but spending some time in what we know as a great community.”
A point of emphasis has been on taking the term ‘something for everyone’ quite literally, with a goal of providing activities for toddlers through to grandparents.
“There’s not only plenty of things for the kids to do, but something for the whole family to enjoy together,” TPA’s Jo Kenna said.
Mr McSween praised the efforts of organising members for their congruence and dedication in piecing together the event.
“Being our third year, everything is looking pretty promising at the moment,” he said.
“We’re well on top of things and have solved our hiccups pretty quickly.
“The work from the group here has been really good, everyone has taken on little bits to do so the biggest thing for me is how well we’re getting along and how well we’re getting it done.”
Still, it takes a village to raise a beloved community event and the Progress Association hope to attract some volunteers who will be able to lend a hand on the day.
Anyone interested in lending a hand was invited to contact Mr McSween on 0417 317 544.
The Country Women’s Association (CWA) will lend their support with the hall on The Promenade to be opened on the day, allowing access to an all-abilities toilet and a nursing/change station for parents.
The CWA will be hosting a morning tea and light luncheon in addition to a stall set up to raise funds for cancer research.