THEY were dancing in the streets in Tea Gardens last Saturday night after a great day of fun at this year’s Myall River Festival.

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A little bit of rain in the early morning miraculously disappeared to be replaced by sunny skies and thousands of revellers out to enjoy a raft of activities along the glorious Myall Riverfront.

“This was a festival put on for the community by the community, our volunteers working for months to ensure a great day was had by all,” President of the Chamber of Commerce, Graham Lang said.

Nearly 80 stalls lined Marine Drive, turning the street into a giant marketplace.

Local school children, dance groups and line dancers entertained the crowds in the morning and of course no festival would be complete without the Greenpaws Dog Show with special judge, former NSW Governor Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair.

Vintage cars from the Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest Motor Club drew plenty of attention and some lucky punters scoffed down plenty of prawns at the Prawn Eating Competition.

On the river our teenagers made a dash for cash in the Lazy Paddles kayaks.

The little yellow ducks took to the water to raise money for the Tea Gardens Primary School, and not one escaped the river thanks to the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Life Savers on their jet skis.

For the bargain lovers, the Pearls group and their ‘Buy My Wardrobe’ campaign raised over $3,000 which will be heading west to our farmers.

“This money will be going to the CWA at Dungog,” Kerry Patterson said.

“The Country Women’s Association knows where the money will be most needed and how best to keep the town ticking over, so everyone benefits.”

And of course Tea Gardens Principal Mark Clemson and Tea Gardens Real Estate’s Dylan Tennyson didn’t mind being the victim on the end of a dunking, all in the name of charity.

“We’ve raised $700 for the local Clinic Bus which runs purely on community donations” Dylan said.

To cap off the day, the ‘Crowdies’ tribute band had the festival goers dancing in the street, ahead of the Fireworks Spectacular on a barge on the river to round out the festival.

“It was the best fireworks ever,” said local Cathy Wagner.

“We’ll be back to do it bigger and better next year, “Graham Lang said.

By Margie TIERNEY