Port’ rocks for Crayfest

HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Port Campbell on Sunday for Crayfest.

By Support Team

Crayfest success: Music, local food and a fun atmosphere helped draw an estimated 4000 people to the annual Crayfest over the weekend.

HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Port Campbell on Sunday for Crayfest.

More than 20 floats were involved in the street parade with the Miller and Mane float taking out the best float prize.

The float featured a bird wire and papier-mache peacock based on the Loch Ard peacock statue which survived the wreck intact in 1878.

Crayfest president Lee McLeod said Chris Miller took 10 months to create the masterpiece.

“The Miller and Mane float was just incredible – every material down to the costumes had been re-purposed.”

Other floats included the quirky Tregea Street float, Parks Victoria, Timboon P-12 School, Timboon Kindergarten, Port Campbell Playgroup, local cray and abalone boats, Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club and Princetown Institute of Sport.

“There was a real buzz around the street parade this year with more spectators and some amazing floats. The kids involved absolutely love it,” Ms McLeod said.

The committee estimates the event drew more than 4000 people to Port Campbell over the course of the weekend.

“This includes the Eat Cray Love degustation on Friday night, fishing clinics and Seas the Day on Saturday, and the main Sunday event,” Ms McLeod said.

She thanked major sponsors Corangamite Shire and Victorian Fisheries Authority for supporting the event, as well as Bendigo Bank, Wannon Water, Timboon Opportunity Shop and Marine Parks Australia.

Ms McLeod said the beauty of Crayfest was the involvement of so many community groups.

“From Timboon Men’s Shed donating tables and chairs for the day, the Lions Club running its popular treasure hunt, local artists creating works to display at the Arts Space, to members of the Port

Campbell Sustainable Group helping reduce waste to landfill from the event,” she said.

“It is a genuine community effort that brings it all together, but special mention to Crayfest committee members Amelia Nash, Tanya White, Rock Stone, Tom Delaney, Maria Gordon and Brooke Barnewall for organising the event.”