By DANE LILLINGSTONE
The 2015 Jumpers and Jazz in July has wrapped up for another successful year this past weekend.
Palmerin Street and Leslie Park both witnessed a massive influx of crowds as the Stroll ‘N’ Swing shut down the main strip on Saturday and the Picnic in the Park took over Leslie Park on Sunday.
Unfortunately rain on Friday night meant the Jumpers and Jazz Race Day was cancelled but that didn’t stop crowds from flocking to the streets over the weekend.
Warwick Tourism and Events CEO Tracy Vellacott was full of praise for this year’s festival.
“For us it was certainly bigger and the feedback we’ve received suggests it was our best yet in 12 years,” she said.
“The feedback on this last weekend, particularly the Saturday Stroll ‘N’ Swing, people were just wowed by the number of people in Palmerin Street on Saturday.
“It was great to see that growth there.”
The main strip of Palmerin was full to the brim with people on Saturday as regional produce and wine, live jazz and the Suitcase Rummage took centre stage.
Bands and musicians popped up on street corners around town and provided a little taste of jazz everywhere.
On Sunday the Picnic in the Park was not deterred by the ominous storm clouds and muddy puddles.
The Warwick Potters art and craft markets were a huge success.
Jazz on the main stage kept everyone entertained as families, locals and tourists converged on the food stalls and markets.
There were games for the kids, delicious woodfire pizzas and a collection of unique items on display for those who wanted something a little different.
“It’s always great to get to the end of the festival and feel satisfied that we’ve all done our very best and it’s been well received.
“Just today I went up and grabbed a few lunchtime groceries and, you know, the people were stopping me in the street to say ‘congratulations on the festival’ they thoroughly enjoy it,” Ms Vellacott said.
Next year’s Jumpers and Jazz is due to start on 21 July 2016.
