If you didn't get to this year's Jumpers & Jazz, do yourself a favour and book it into your diary for next year! It's a festival like no other - filled with wonderful music, amazing food, beautiful arts and crafts, vintage cars and bikes, a range of workshops to learn new skills and yarn-bombed everything!
These photos show some of the people and activities from the festival. I hope you enjoy seeing them and if you'd like copies, please use the contact form below.
Sunday Jazz & Markets in Leslie Park
Early rain couldn't dampen the spirits of 150 arts and crafts stall holders who were set up and ready to go by the time the skies cleared. And it;'s a good thing they were, because a huge crowd turned out to pick up some bargains and hear the spectacular sounds of a variety of jazz artists.
Steam Train Rides
For those lucky enough to get a ticket, there were steam train trips to Hendon throughout the festival. Popular with young and old alike, each train was booked out well in advance. My advice for next year - book early!
Killarney Bonfire Night & Fire Drum Exhibition
What a night! Lots of creativity on display, fabulous food at crazy low prices and mulled wine to sip by the fire. And what a fire it was! A huge bonfire surrounded by all sorts of things including fire drums, Ned Kelly (complete with smoking gun), The Titanic (already sinking), fire-breathing dragons and NSW Club House (assume that would be football) well and truly aflame. Another definite "must see" for next year!
Suitcase Rummage
This year Suitcase Rummage moved out of the alley and into the street and with the number of people out looking to buy some early Christmas presents, it was just as well. The street was crowded and the shoppers spending like it might all disappear before their very eyes. Full marks to vendors too, for the innovative ways in which they presented their merchandise.
Friday Night Formal Dinner & Jazz Concert
Diners were treated to the very best regional produce and beverages while being entertained by Emma Pask and the John Morrison Trio. Emma and the John Morrison Trio were presented by Queensland Music Festival as part of its commitment to introducing world class musicians to regional and remote communities. The food and wines were just perfect and what a night it was!
Goomburra High Tea
Not everything during the festival is based in Warwick, and one of the nicest ways to spend a Saturday afternoon, was attending the Goomburra High Tea. Champagne on arrival, sumptuous platters of delectable goodies and first class entertainment all ensured a wonderful event. A tip for next year - book early! At such a crazy low price and with limited space,, it books out very early.
A warm and witty afternoon with Denise Scott
It was touted to be a great show and that Denise Scott would wow her audience, and wow them she did! Proudly sponsored by Spicers Peak Lodge, this show was one of the highlights of the festival. Denise had the audience in stitches, telling her self-deprecating stories and picking on a few members of the audience. Everyone walked away with a smile on their face. Oh, and did I mention that the antipasto platters and wine included in the price, was very well received.
Entertainment in the street - Stroll & Swing, Regional Produce & Sheep Shack
Throughout the festival there was so much to see and do, but a lot of the entertainment (including many fine jazz musicians) happened along Palmerin Street.
Arts & Crafts
One of the many joys of Jumpers and Jazz is the amazing craftsmanship on display at various venues. From pop-up shops to workshops, it's all there for visitors to see and enjoy.
Entertainment & Arts at the Gallery
It was difficult to imagine just what the gallery team would come up with this year, after the amazing Knitchen last year. However, they did it again! This year featured the wonderful Woollow Tree, home to all of the whimsical creatures imaginable. Add to that a beautiful Fabrication Exhibition, fabulous entertainment and the ever stylish craft markets and you had, yet another, must see Jumpers & Jazz destination. I wonder what they'll come up with next year?
Historic Auto & Motorbike Displays
There was plenty to see for motoring enthusiasts when on the first weekend historic autos gathered at the show ground and then driven down into Palmerin Street, where they remained on display for the day. The following weekend, a Queensland Motorcycle Club roared into town and put their historic motorcycles on display.
Yarn-bombed Pets and Bicycles
They say you should never work with kids or animals - unless of course it's at the Jumpers and Jazz Festival! As always, the kids yarn bombed their bicycles and everyone won a prize. But, in a first for Jumpers and Jazz, people were invited to enter into a competition for the best yarn bombed pet. In the end, everyone was a winner and I'm sure this will become an annual event.
Thursday night Welcome & Prize Presentation
The festival Launch Party was held to kick off Jumpers & Jazz, Tree jumper awards were announced and attendees were taken back to the 50's with music from the very entertaining Dezzie D and the Stingrays.
Rodeo Queens and Swing Dance Classes
No one could ever be found guilty of having nothing to do when it comes to Jumpers & Jazz time. Aside from the various craft workshops, you could also learn to swing dance with Empire Swing or even pop on into a rodeo and meet Australia's Rodeo Queen.
Trees in Jumpers
Trees, trees and more trees - and all dressed for winter. This year the theme was "Fusion" or as some of the artists said "confusion". It made for some wonderfully original interpretation.