Cowra Comes Together To Honour/Respect Country' at 2022 Festival Of International Understanding

The Cowra community came together last weekend to celebrate 'To Honour/Respect Country'- the theme for this year's festival of International Understanding.

The Festival was launched last Friday evening with the opening dinner, where the 2022 Youth Ambassadors were formally presented, and their fundraising work for their various charities recognised.

'The Cowra's Got Talent' semi-finalists also performed on the night.

Last Saturday the community descended on Bryant Park for the Cowra Festival Of International Understanding Carnival that followed on from the annual parade down Kendal Street.

The parade came to life with a sea of larger than life smiles and waves from proud locals of all ages who participated on foot or by hitching a ride on the back of uniquely decorated vehicles, in vintage cars or trucks. Many local groups, schools and businesses took part including The Freemasons, Ability Network, Woodstock and Wyangala public schools, Mulyan, St Raph's, Cowra Public, Carinya, The Cowra Neighbourhood Center, Cowra Dance Factory, Cowra Ballet School and more.

This year's festival centred around the theme 'To Honour/Respect Country.' The carnival drew a large crowd with rides, attractions, local artisans, cold beverages, dagwood dogs, duck races and wrestling plus much more. The audience were entertained by multiple performances on the night including pint sized dancers and local singers.

The low level bridge quickly filled with spectators at the commencement of the duck race and laughter floated along the river along with the little yellow competitors as the crowd watched on.

The market stalls had something from everyone including lollies, jewellery, custom coffee mugs and pillows, delicious Romanian goods and face painting.

The night sky glowed with an impressive fireworks display, rounding out what proved to be a successful event for the Cowra Community.

By Jamie-Lee Farley

Festival Of International Understanding