{"id":47604,"date":"2013-10-15T01:36:48","date_gmt":"2013-10-14T15:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=47604"},"modified":"2020-12-11T14:21:15","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T04:21:15","slug":"mardi-gras-gallery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2013\/10\/15\/mardi-gras-gallery\/","title":{"rendered":"Cool Theme For A Hot Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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These young Nanango Panthers were on target with their water pistols … perfect for a hot day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Skiye and Ainsley Elder aboard the sinking 3D chalk drawing by Clark Smith (Photo: Clive Lowe Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 15, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

The weather was hot … but fortunately the theme was cool for Nanango’s annual Mardi Gras Festival on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The organising committee this year adopted a theme of “a place where the waters gather”, the popular translation of the word “Nanango”.<\/p>\n

This meant “water” was reflected in many of the parade entries, in the chalk art which adorned the footpath outside the council building and in the mural competition.<\/p>\n

The day started off with a Poets Breakfast in Pioneer Park which was followed by a baby competition.<\/p>\n

Grand Champion was Alirah Smallwood, 19 months, from Nanango.<\/p>\n

Action in Drayton Street began at 10:30am with the 35th running of the punishing King of the Hill footrace, which loops down Drayton Street and up Hospital Hill and back.<\/p>\n

The race began in 1977 and has been run every year since (except one).<\/p>\n

The 2013 winner of the crown was Paul Judge, from Kingaroy, who ran the course in 8:42:01 (the record is 7:30.51).<\/p>\n

After the presentation of prizes to the successful runners, the crowds began to gather for the always-popular street parade which included everything from a truckload of children armed with water pistols to a 150kg papier mache piggy bank.<\/p>\n

“Priscilla”, the mascot of sponsors Heritage Nanango, was fresh from starring in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade.<\/p>\n

After the parade, the spotlight turned to Pioneer Park for live music, stalls, the judging of the mural competition, presentation of prizes and a water bomb fight – organised by the local Cadet unit.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parade Winners<\/strong><\/strong>
\nWater theme – Waterhole Rocks (T Model Ford)
\nSchool \u2013 Nanango State School
\nHumour \u2013 Panthers Soccer Club
\nGrand Champion \u2013 HMAS Nettie (Nanango Netball Club)<\/p>\n