Knox in festive mode

Ethan, 8, of Ferntree Gully enjoying the water bubbles. Picture: GREG CARRICK

By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM

A CELEBRATION of all things Knox was the appropriate theme of the 2015 Knox Festival held over the weekend.
With a focus on the products, businesses, talents and passions of Knox, this year’s festival featured the performances, sporting clinics, roving performers, rides, stalls, food and fireworks display that visitors to the festival have come to love.
The great forest walk had kids fascinated by natural wonders in a space dedicated to discovery and exploration. With storytelling and performances over the weekend, younger visitors to the event were captivated at the mysteries of the natural world.
The annual primary schools banner competition was back, but rain on Saturday night unfortunately forced the cancellation of this year’s Twilight Cinema.
This year, the festival hosted its first ‘big sleepover,’ which saw 100 campers pitch a tent on Wally Tew reserve and sleep outside to raise money for UnitingCare Harrison. Campers braved a stormy night before waking up to breakfast and an hour of access to rides on Sunday morning until the grounds opened to the public at 10am.
The CFA’s ’Torchlight March’ was due to start at Ferntree Gully Fire Station at 8.30pm but was unfortunately also cancelled by the rainy weather.
Such a fabulous and community-focused weekend was made possible through the work of many volunteers who worked tirelessly over the weekend to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Ferntree Gully’s festival weekend drew to a close for another year as many great memories were created throughout the streets of the Gully.