By Christine de Kock
A ‘PIRATE’ boxer stole the show at the Yarraville Festival’s dog parade on Saturday.
Marcello Biasol of Yarraville said his daughter Julia, 4, decided to enter their pooch as Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp’s character in the popular Pirates of the Caribbean films.
Hank was dressed in complete pirate regalia, including an eye patch and sword.
Event master of ceremonies and comedian Dave O’Neill suggested Hank was “not exactly Johnny Depp – all he needed was a bit of whiskey”.
The annual event attracted 17 entrants and, as usual, a huge crowd applauded the canines’ creative costumes.
Good weather on the day ensured a turn out of thousands of people.
Rachell Carroll of Kingsville said it was a well-organised event and her family had attended for the second year in a row.
“The kids love it. There’s so much for them to do, and it makes us feel part of the community,” she said.
Former City of Maribyrnong councillor Bill Horrocks and wife Heather took part in the festival by running a craft stall.
Mrs Horrocks, who makes organza flowers and scarves, was promoting her business Funki Flori on the day.
The couple was among several locals and out-of-town artists who were involved in making the day a success.
There were also soap makers, glass designer Marina Villani, silk screen designers and many other creative stalls being run in the Canterbury St arts precinct.
One of the festival organisers, Ro Le Pere, said the arts precinct had not been so busy in previous years.
“It’s good to see it going off,” she said.
“This was a good way to support artists in the community.”
Another successful event was the short film competition, with more than 100 people turning up to the screening of 10 films that were entered by local film makers.
The People’s Choice award went to a film about a man’s difficulty opening a can of bake beans, titled ‘In the Can’.
Best film was awarded to ‘Restaurant’, a documentary that looked at people working in the restaurant business, and ‘Blink’ the named the most innovative film.
Film Festival committee organiser Clare Clifton-Blight said ‘Blink’ was about a little girl who took pictures in her imagination by blinking, as if she was using a camera.
Co-organiser Awombda Codd said the event opened with a silent series of films accompanied by a live orchestra.
“The orchestra was set up in the hall and provided the score to the film. I think that was very successful,” she said.
Newport residents Simon and Michelle Purnell said they moved to the West last year after living in St Kilda.
“This is the first festival we have attended,” Mr Purnell said as his daughter Hannah, 3, got her face painted.
“This is a good family community and we won’t be moving back – we love it.”
