How does the Grinch steal Christmas joy?
Is it by taking Christmas gifts that aren’t his? No.
Is it by interrupting Christmas carols and being hateful throughout December? No, in fact he was quite popular at Wednesday’s Maffra Christmas Festival.
The Grinch actually tried to steal Christmas joy by flooding the Maffra Christmas Festival with 2.5mm of rain for an hour.
But did it work?
Not according to event organiser Pam Anderson, who said after the rain died down, Johnson Street came back alive at about 7.30pm.
“We’ve kept going ahead, it’s true that we’ve been rained out, but many people are still here. So we just kept going,” she said.
The first rain drops could be felt after 6pm and the first thunderstorm was soon after.
Suddenly thousands of people all wearing shorts, thongs and dresses huddled undercover as stall holders kept rearranging their roofs to keep the water out. Lines for food trucks went to none where there was huge lines forming minutes earlier.
But the event continued, as did the performances, sideshows, food trucks and carols.
Event organisers called the day a “success”.
President of the Maffra Business and Tourism Association, Adam Vardy said the event would not be possible without the generosity of its sponsors.
“This event wouldn’t happen without our many sponsors: Wellington Shire Council, Bendigo Bank and all the local businesses that fully support the festival. It’s just great to see the community get behind the festival and make it possible and a lot of fun,” he said.
‘Tubby the Robot’ goes around spreading Christmas cheer.
This shot was taken at 5:58pm.
This shot was taken at about 6.03pm. Photos: Ben McArthur
The rain continued.
