26 March 2012

Chimney sweeps and carriage drivers were just some of the weird and wonderful costumed characters on display as Maryborough turned the clock back more than a century at the year’s first Lamplight Bazaar.

Hundreds of guests lined Wharf Street in the Portside heritage district for the celebrations, which showcased what life in Maryborough was like 160 years ago when it was one of Australia’s busiest ports.

Fraser Coast Council’s Event Organiser Claire Phillips said the Lamplight Bazaar was an overwhelming success, after the first event scheduled earlier in the year was rained out.

“The weather was perfect and we had more than 600 guests, young and old, come down and experience the homemade food and craft, live entertainment and historical displays.

“The tours also proved extremely popular, we had a combined 50 people on the pub tour and first Nightwatchman’s tour which was very pleasing,” Claire said.

Lamplight Bazaar is the first in a series of events that piggy back on the Poppins mania generated by the smash hit Poppins musical now showing in Brisbane.

Fraser Coast Regional Council recently secured $20,000 in Events Queensland funding to market Maryborough’s heritage offerings and its unique connection with Mary Poppins into south-east Queensland.
 
Planning is now underway for the next Lamplight Bazaar on April 28.

“Maryborough has a very rich and significant history and it's great to see not only the locals, but visitors to the Fraser Coast getting behind these fantastic events.”