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Winterfest promises to be ripper for all to enjoy
Chris Mallon
23Jul08
A BUMPER crowd is expected to stop traffic at this year's Emerald Winterfest.
Committee president Gregg Smith has promised that the expected crowd of more than 10,000 will witness something "you wouldn't normally see outside Tullamarine" at the Sunday, July 27 festival.
"It's a ripper, we'll have the pets on parade, vintage steam engines and this year, a display of military vehicles," he said.
The annual event will also have its now-traditional Puffing Billy hold-up featuring Emerald's own bushranger Mad Macca.
In addition, the State Emergency Service units have promised their most dramatic display yet, and live bands will play throughout the day.
With a pet parade and more than 180 street stalls set to line Kelvington Drive, the event is going to be a major celebration.
A volunteer with Winterfest for 15 years, Mr Smith said the event created a buzz around town and generated necessary funds for non-profit clubs and groups.
"We try to give most of the stalls to local clubs and groups. It's a big money spinner for them," he said.
"The festival gets more and more popular every year. It's the largest festival in the Dandenong Ranges."
