Though the weather was a bit gloomy on Sunday the 30th of October, the mood of the festival goers and entertainers was not somber at all. Likewise for the flow of interested parties; packed with festival goers, the main street in front of the Tea Gardens Hotel was constantly jostling with people.

Young families, wheeling their little ones about; pretty ladies springing about in cheerful groups; young larrikins grinning and joking; mature women drawn by the lively performances and music- all were there, and it was proving to be a happy occasion indeed.

The performances on the main stage proved to be a welcome distraction, and allowed watchers to be happily engrossed in admiration. A variety of talented groups and individuals entertained the watchers with their impressive skills for hours.

There was the Myall River Ukestra, which happily performed a number of musical items. Amongst these was a cover of a song written by U2, which was adapted quite well for the chorus of ukes.

Shortly after this came the dance display by Tracy McKimmon’s Dance School, which displayed the joy the performers found in dancing. Whether they were well-dressed groups of dancers or solo tap-dancers, the whole ensemble performed very well.

Then entered the Smokin’ Horns jazz band. A tight-night group, they wowed listeners with neatly arranged covers of groups such as ‘Muse’ (Feeling Good) and artists like ‘Louis Armstrong’ (What A Wonderful World). They even allowed for the lead singer to show off his talent, with him (mid-way through an excellent rendition of Frank Sinatra’s New York) holding a note far longer than what you would expect to be anybody’s normal vocal capacity!

Knowing that a stall was being operated by staff from the Tea Gardens Manor meant that lunch anywhere else was really out of the question. As is always the case, the stomach was not left disappointed once a wholesome-looking, steaming container of Tortellini had been purchased from the Manor’s cooking staff and hungrily consumed.

This then, was the experience of this writer at the Myall Quays River Festival this year. To the organisers, well done! Judging from the success of this year’s, next year’s Festival has the potential to be just as good!

Review by Timothy Grant for culturehunter.org (November 2011)