"Mum can we go yet?" were five little words not heard on Maryland Street in Stanthorpe on March 1 for the 10th anniversary of the local busking championships.
There were strollers, and canines diligently in tow, plus children with dripping ice creams and plenty of toe-tapping others who stopped to take in the various busking stations from one end of the bustling parallel pathways to the other.
Judging themselves were Jennie and Emma Wardle who The Town & Country Journal snapped crossing near Mitre10, with clipboard in hand, saying the day "didn't disappoint".
"At 9am, we hit the streets as judges, alongside Allan Spencer and Ben White," the ladies said. "The busking in Stanthorpe is always a highlight of the year and we had a wonderful day. It was beautiful, sunny weather and we thought the talent this year was excellent."
Our well known all-girl band, Nine Year Sister, as they are known after being discovered themselves during a previous busking championship, said "there were some familiar faces and also plenty of new ones".
"There was everything from a grandfather and granddaughter duo to a high energy dance crew from Brisbane," Jennie said.
As past winners of the open section, Nine Year Sister, named because there is nine years of age difference between them, were invited to perform at the finals concert in the Civic Centre. "It was wonderful to see the community come together to support this annual event," they agreed. "(It was) such a great day for the town of Stanthorpe and we look forward to seeing it all happen again next year."
Our newspaper congratulates the organisers and all participants.
Here are the tally of placings:
Primary:
1st Place - Sakura Wright
Secondary:
1st Place - Amy Ryan
2nd Place - Henry Catania
3rd Place - Mackierlia Casey
Open:
1st Place - Geed Up
2nd Place - Aria Cook and her grandfather, Greg
3rd Place - Clayton Jay
