Originally Published August 30 2022
THE streets of Kerang were alive with colour and laughter as the local schools participated in the Kerang and District Book Parade on Friday.
This was the first parade after a two-year break due to COVID, and members of the community came out in droves to see the students and teachers dressed up in their costumes.
Kerang Primary School principal Brenton Taylor described the day as “positively awesome”.
“Our school itself was abuzz,” Mr Taylor said.
“The participation and enthusiasm was tremendous – every child was dressed up and we had all the teachers dressed up.
“The teachers seemed as excited as what the kids were.”
Kerang Christian College community engagement officer Hayley Steel said she was thrilled to see the amount of people who came down to support the parade.
“The main focus is to encourage kids to love books and love the way it can capture your imagination, and certainly imaginations looked
captured with all those costumes,” Ms Steel said.
Hundreds of spectators lined the footpaths of Albert, Scoresby, Fitzroy, Wellington and Victoria streets, clapping and cheering as the children walked past waving and showing off their impressive costumes.
“While I was there I heard a few people chatting, and they just seemed to love that the parade had finally come back,” Ms Steel said.
“There were even a couple of visitors that I spoke to who were just amazed at this big event in a little town and the way it just took over the community.”
The day was emceed by Gannawarra Shire Council Deputy Mayor Jane Ogden, introducing each group and reading out a short synopsis of their book as they paraded down Victoria Street.
Cr Ogden was also assisted by Gannawarra Shire Council Mayor Charlie Gillingham and councillor Travis Collier, who acted as ‘lollipop men’ to help keep the parade running smoothly.
