The Blossom Festival Parade on Fryers St in 1957.
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Shepparton’s Blossom Festival first ran in 1956 and then again in 1957. The term was first coined by Raymond West back in 1938 for the town’s celebration of its centenary.
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As The Age reported on October 11, 1938: “To celebrate its centenary fittingly, Shepparton is being converted into a ‘Blossom Town’. More than 200 peach trees, in blossom, are being placed in the streets of the town in readiness for the official ‘opening’ by Prime Minister Mr Lyons on Thursday of next week. For ten days, the town will be en fete [dressed for a festivity], and a most comprehensive program has been arranged. A special train will bring visitors to the town on Wednesday, October 19, and guests will be officially welcomed at the town hall by Mayor Cr J. Pick in the afternoon and at a reunion at night. On Thursday, there will be a historical pageant procession, and the official opening of the celebrations will be performed by the Prime Minister, who Dame Edith Lyons will accompany.”
This first parade photo features the south side of Fryers St, 1957, with the Shepparton Youth Club Marching Girls marching by with the crowds looking on intently. The businesses left to right are Rocco Costa Fruit and Vegetables, Bon Accord Food Emporium, Shield’s Frock Salon, Lightfoot’s Paint Shop, Maples Furniture Warehouse and the main Maples Store.
The second parade photo features the SPC float in Maude St in 1956 with the queen, Shirley Sinclair, and the princess, Glenda Kellock née Jones, in front.
The SPC float makes its way down Maude St during the 1956 Blossom Festival Parade.
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Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your pics of the past at pastpics@mmg.com.au
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