Armidale Autumn Festival returns in April

Armidale’s annual Autumn Festival celebration is returning on Saturday 4 April 2020, transforming the city’s centre into a hub of entertainment and tourist attractions.

The long-running event, a favourite on the community events calendar, is returning to its original name following public feedback and is moving from March to April to further embrace the autumn season.

Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray said: “We’ve heard the sentiment of our community, with many people keen to see the name returned to Armidale Autumn Festival.

“Holding the event later in autumn will also help to ensure festivities coincide with the changing colours of the leaves on the many beautiful trees that are a hallmark of the city.

‘The festival will continue to have many of its favourite attractions, including the grand parade, twilight markets and amusement rides, arts and culture performances, and the criterium bike race, as well as a live music concert and many other activities.”

This year’s theme for the event is Revelling in the ’20s.

“It can be interpreted as an exciting move into a new decade, or looking back a century to the golden years of the 1920s,” Cr Murray said.

“Participants in the much-loved street parade can decorate their floats to celebrate moving into the 2020s or step back in time to the wonderful ‘Roaring ’20s’.”

Applications for the grand parade are now open and forms can be downloaded from Council’s website.

For all the attractions, dates and times, visit Council’s website or the Armidale Autumn Festival Facebook page.

Last year’s inaugural Colour New England Street Arts Festival will be held as a biennial event and returns in 2021.

Published on 17 Jan 2020