IT was a hot Autumn day for the hundreds of locals and visitors who finally gathered at the Tea Gardens riverfront for the Myall River Festival.
Originally slated for March, the rainy vanguard of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred had forced a rescheduling.
However, on Sunday 13 April, Marine Drive was transformed into an alleyway of stalls selling food, gifts, drinks and homewares.
Several local community groups also turned out to promote their activities.
Local emergency services on display included the Pindimar-Tea Gardens Rural Fire Service, who taught kids how to handle a high-powered hose, and Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage, who brought their small fleet of rescue craft over from across the Bay.
Next to Anzac Park, local DJ Jomeca entertained the crowd at the dog show, belting out tunes modern and classic as the pampered pooches were judged.
Elsewhere, new players were discovering the joys of pickleball on a court drawn on the road.
The highlight of the day was the Tea Gardens Public School Duck Derby, a major fundraiser for the P&C Committee.
Corporate and individual ducks were set free to flow on the tide in a race for ultimate glory.
The hundreds of yellow duckies were herded into position by an all-female crew from the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club, with IRB driver Peta Shelton, IRB crew Sharon Taylor, and Jet Ski driver Amanda Osmond assisting Mother Duck Debbie Booth to the starting line, before herding them all back to shore.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
