From the gnomes at Glenbrook to the rhododendrons of Blackheath, festivals are a joyful, friendly, indispensable part of Blue Mountains life.
In the pre-electronic world, commercial interests such as the Australian Wool Bureau, (Australian Wool Board) readily sponsored community activities, especially wool-themed activities.
This was how Woolfiesta, held during Easter Week, April, 1963, was born.
The festival opened on Saturday, April 6 with a parade beginning in Katoomba Street. The Blue Mountains Band and the Katoomba Marching Girls led the way to the council chambers where, marking the official opening of the 10-day Blue Mountains Woolfiesta, Little Bo Peep presented her sheep 'Biddy' to the mayor of the Blue Mountains, Ald. K.C. Bates.
Sunday, April 7 saw a fashion parade at the Gardiner’s Inn at Blackheath and a mannequin parade was held at the Trocadero Theatre, Katoomba on Monday, April 8. The latest knitting wool colours shown were the Wild Colonial line. During the Trocadero parade Little Bo Peep was “kidnapped” by Ned Kelly. Would she make the rest of the festivities?
The Parent and Pupil Wool Shed Hop was held in the Katoomba Primary School Hall, sponsored by the ladies auxiliary, on April 9. Little Bo Peep, Miss Laraine Morris, escaping from Ned Kelly, presented banners to the winners of the twist competition, Judy McKellar and Robert Bourke. The Mountain Devil Dressed in Wool Competition was won by Vicky Cluwen and Anne Macarthur. Before selfies, the students were happy to crowd into a photo with Little Bo Peep, taken by a local photographer. Maybe they’d appear in the paper?
The Band Concert and Variety Night held in the Trocadero Theatre on April 10 included a talent quest and the finals of the speed knitting competition, won by Mrs Margaret Smith. Little Bo Peep presented the prizes.
Friday April 12, Little Bo Peep appreciated a floodlight tour of Echo Point before the whole community enjoyed a floodlight singalong at the Katoomba Falls Reserve.
Easter Sunday saw The Midnight Dance, which was held in the Wentworth Cabaret at the Homesdale Guesthouse. Because of licensing restrictions at that time, it had to start at midnight, no earlier on a Sunday night. More than 300 people attended, dancing to the music of Dave Jamison’s Modernaires. The Twist was popular, 25 couples participating in the competition. Wool posters decorated foyer and stage.
The Woolfiesta stimulated unofficial activities such as the pet show at Katoomba Falls Reserve on Saturday, April 13. A bee and a grasshopper were entered but a great dane was “top dog”. All cash prizes were donated by Furlongs Butchery, Katoomba.
The Blue Mountains loves a good festival. Let’s hope Winter Magic returns in 2019.
- Robyne Ridge is publicity officer for Blue Mountains Historical Society.
