Winterfest magic of the big top

Winterfest performers Zac Morton-Colbert, Soul Kramkimel and Alex Cuming.
THE move away from the traditional format of Winterfest over the weekend to a mix of culture and carnival was a huge success.
The Winterfest Committee, led by Dawn Holland and Cindy Smith, put together a program which saw all the traditional community events, a magic assortment of ‘imported’ acts, and the carnival.
“We were a bit unsure of the carnival at first but we had a heap of young people in town. I’ve never seen so many kids in black t-shirts smiling.
“It was a great success,” Ms Smith said.
“The atmosphere in the big top for the grand finale by Dili All-stars was unbelievable. We had hundreds of people having fun and dancing,” she added.
The festival drew high praise also from Yarra Ranges Shire’s cultural facilities coordinator, Sue Millar, who said the committee had done a wonderful job.
“They broadened the whole festival and encouraged the community to do something a bit different, and it worked! With the blessing of the weather, it was just wonderful.”
Warburton’s elder statesman, Ron Howard, was among the merry-makers.
“I was very impressed by the whole thing,” he said after a very busy weekend.
“I think what topped it off for me was the illusionist, Cosentino, who was absolutely brilliant.
“When I saw the carnival all lit up it just took me back to St Kilda beach when the kids were little,” he said.