Community & Business
21 September, 2022
Oakey Float shines in Floral Parade
Last Saturday, the Oakey Chamber of Commerce’s Oakey Float travelled through the Toowoomba CBD to Queens Park as thousands gathered to watch the annual Grand Central Floral Parade.
The Oakey Float entered into the Community Float category and was up against some tough competition.
However, despite the float featuring over 60 per cent real locally-grown flowers, the float was unsuccessful in securing a place in the top three.
“It’s a real shame we didn’t place this year,” Float organiser Zoe Grainger said.
“But we aren’t too sure how they judge the floats, so that’s something I’m investigating.
“We were also meant to have our float displayed inside Grand Central but at the very last minute
that morning a council worker told us only our float wouldn’t fit through the doors of the building.
“Last year the Oakey High School really supported us a lot but it wasn’t a whole township thing.”
“However, this year because we got some of the local businesses involved as sponsors and had them represented on the Float, it felt like we had more of the township’s support this year,” Ms Grainger said.
“After the parade, more residents have come up to me asking me to tell them when we will start next year’s float because they want to help out, which is great to hear.
“Hopefully a knock on effect has happened.
“We ended up on the local news on Channel 7 or 9 I think.
“We got some advertising coverage for the town which is good.
“Some of the businesses will be keeping their model replicas of their stores and some are donating them to local childcares.
“Kerrytown Meats is giving theirs to Little Champions childcare.
“It’s good to see them all recycling and upcycling the materials and giving the kids something they can use and have fun with.”
