Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Zeepaard Photos
Around 48 floats wound through Home Hill's streets as hundreds of residents turned out for the Harvest Festival Grand Parade and Street Party last Saturday.
The Rio Carnival-themed parade brought the festival's 2026 calendar to a close, with families lining the main street before heading to Watson's Green for an evening of rides and entertainment.
Harvest Festival Committee secretary Carlene Muilwyk said the committee was delighted with the turnout.
"The crowd was absolutely fantastic this year," she said.
“We had a fantastic variety of floats, all the favourite rides people have come to expect, a wonderful selection of food vendors and some great entertainment.
“So much work goes into organising an event of this size, and seeing the community come out and support it makes every bit of that effort worthwhile.”
Sneaky Beats proved a popular drawcard at the Street Party, with a variety of food vendors, rides and entertainment keeping the crowds occupied until late.
According to Carlene, some food vendors even sold out before the festivities wrapped up.
Changes to the street party layout also attracted positive feedback from visitors and stallholders, Carlene said.
She said the evening capped a “wonderfully successful” festival program that began in September and included King and Queen of the Hill, Derby Day, the Golf Ambrose, Pet Show, Bolt for Bucks and Rotary Gala Ball.
According to Carlene "the sense of community and tradition” is what continues to keep the Harvest Festival spirit alive, pointing to Julea Farry, who continued a family tradition by following in the footsteps of her mother and older sisters as a Festival Queen.
"It's one of those events that generations of Burdekin families have grown up attending, and now they're bringing their own children along," Carlene said.
Carlene thanked the committee, sponsors, volunteers, stallholders, parade participants and local businesses for their contributions throughout the festival.
“We have such a fantastic group of people who put an enormous amount of time and effort into making this festival happen," she said.
"The Harvest Festival really is a celebration of our community, and I think this year showed just how special that community is. We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved together and can't wait to see what next year brings!”
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2026 Life Publishing Group Pty Ltd.
.jpg)
