Community & Business
17 July, 2024
Mr Byrnes' colourful days in the hopeful sun
Jumpers & Jazz Festival is here!
Children shriek with excitement and some adults do a double-take when the Thomas Byrne monument, opposite the entrance to the post office on the corner of Palmerin and Grafton Streets in Warwick, is clothed in colourful wool in time for Jumpers and Jazz in July, this year from July 18 to 28.
Promoters of the yarnbombing festival that began in 2004, and celebrates its 20-year anniversary this month, were keen to share their excitement about a "fresh matching scarf and beanie set" installed on July 9, under what was described as "the watchful eye" of Warwick Art Gallery Director, Karina Devine.
“Though quite a complicated process involving permissions and assistance from various contractors, it is a very important part of the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival,” Ms Devine told our newspsaper.
“The festival totally transforms the region into a cultural tourism destination and the dressing of the Byrnes monument announces to everyone that the festival is about to begin and all over the region artwork appears to delight us all.”
Member of the Warwick Spinners and Weavers group, Dawn Booth, has made a new outfit for the monument every year since the statue was first adorned in 2006. This year’s crochet design features an extra wide scarf and structured hat, Ms Devine confirmed.
Nick White from Saturn Electrical "donated his time to dress the statue before dawn," while the Parks and Gardens team from Southern Downs Regional Council lent a hand with any traffic assistance.
Read more here about what not-to-miss or go to www.jumpersandjazz.com.au
