“It was the best year we’ve ever had.”
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Envirofair co-ordinator Rosie Smith is exuberant in her praise for the 25th Taree Envirofair.
The annual event, which is presented by 2BOB Radio, drew a crowd of between 4000 and 4500 people.
There was no shortage of activities with over 60 stalls displaying a mix of free activities, environmental information and products.
Rosie said drawing the most attention were activism stalls ‘Democracy Now’ and the Knitting Nannas as well as community service stalls.
“The nannas were flat out all day,” said Rosie.
“People know they can’t trust politicians to change things. For real change to happen they know they can’t be ignorant to what is going on.”
Rosie said artist Naomi Leago’s elephant sculpture was a huge talking point.
“The elephant represented ‘the elephant in the room’ and encouraged people to write down their grievances to what is happening to the environment. Naomi wants to make the words into a book.”
Stall holders and community services like MidCoast Water and MidCoast Council also gained a steady number of visitors.
“People really want to know what’s happening and is available here. We are an area that loves localism,” said Rosie.
The art direction created by ‘Sweet-Pea & Mumma’ gave the festival atmosphere and energy, that was complemented by the Reutilized Material Clothing Exhibition.
Homegrown sounds and belly dancing was enjoyed from hay bale seating at the 2BOB Fig Jam stage.
A last-minute addition to the lineup with Byron Bay’s Hunter and Smoke ramped up stage’s wow factor along with DJ Oblong spinning vinyl.
This was Rosie’s final year of co-ordinating Envirofair after 10 years. “It was a beautiful way to go out,” she said.
The Envirofair will be on the hunt for a series of co-ordinators to fill the role.
Envirofair also said goodbye to the dedicated 2BOB food stall co-ordinators Merryn and Jim Stow.
“They gave so much.”
The gold coin donation entry free entered attendees into a firewood lucky door prize supplied by Ironwood Hardwood. This was won by Deb Toshack.