By JONATHON HOWARD
HUNDREDS of onlookers flocked to Warwick at the weekend to catch a glimpse of more than 110 trees decorated as part of the iconic Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival.
Local businesses have already reported a surge in sales and visitor numbers are considerably up on previous years.
The fun continues until Sunday, 28 July, with live entertainment and workshops available throughout the week to entertain locals and visitors alike.
Artists, community groups, schools and businesses – both local and international – have been a part of the craft and yarn bombing spectacle.
Organisers have also announced the winners of the 10th annual Tree Jumper exhibition, the centrepiece of its iconic Jumpers and Jazz Festival.
The winners of the Tree Jumper exhibition were announced at the Festival Launch Party held at Warwick Art Gallery on Friday, 19 July during the 10-day festival.
While much of the attention has been on the main streets of Warwick, Killarney has also proven popular with sightseers.
In particular, the Killarney Pub beer-can trees have attracted a variety of onlookers. The much acclaimed Tree Jumper exhibition is one of more than 20 textile art exhibitions and more than 80 events staged over the 10 days including the Winter in Killarney Bonfire Night which has been postponed to this Saturday, 27 July.
BREAK OUT
The Tree Jumper exhibition winners are: See if you can spot them next time you stroll through Warwick’s main street.
Open Artistic Section
WINNER: TREE 38 by Southern Downs Protection Group (Warwick)
HIGHLY COMMENDED: TREE 106 by Virtual Shout (East Brisbane), TREE 119 by Sue Bauer (Pittsworth) and TREE 86 by Warwick Spinners & Weavers (Warwick)
Excellence in Knitting and/or Crochet
WINNER: TREE 74 by Jessica Thompson (Salisbury) for her ‘Close Encounters’ artwork.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: TREE 4 by Just Because Gifts and Flowers (Warwick), TREE 65 by Akooramak (Warwick), TREE 28 by CWA Handcraft Group (Warwick)
‘MAMMA MIA’ Themed Section
WINNER: TREE 77 by Margaret Armstrong (Warwick) for her ‘I Had a Dream’ artwork.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: TREE 35 by Adele McKinnon & Penny King (Warwick), TREE 50 by Kerry and Sam Farrell (Warwick), TREE 52 by Kylie Boderick, Brenda Duggan, Julie Hauff, Lyn Irwin-Kelly, Sharyn Le Suerur, Sandy McDonnell, Jenny Ryan and Kelly Thompson (Warwick)
Community Group
WINNER: TREE 40 by Blue Care Killara (Warwick) for their artwork ‘Thank you for the Music’.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: TREE 66 by Warwick Gymnastics Club (Warwick), TREE 2 by Granite Belt Spinners, Weavers and Dyers (Stanthorpe), TREE 103 by Warwick Day View Club.
