Tweed Valley Banana Festival mascot Banana Jim is need of a “skin peel” and facelift and like anything banana related these days, it isn’t going to be cheap.
Jim, who will take centre stage on Saturday as part of the festival’s annual street parade and family fun day, has been around in his current lycra and padding form for the past 20 years and festival organisers believe it’s time for him to “have a bit of work done”.
“It’s going to cost $6,000 to have the suit replaced,” festival secretary Carole Mudge said.
“The Banana Coast Credit Union are actively looking at it for us at the moment. And we would love any donations.”
If they receive money they will also look at replacing Jim’s wife Sugar Sue – although her plight isn’t so urgent. The current costume will then probably join its fibreglass predecessors at the local museum – although may come out for the River festival next year to lead the waterskiing again.
“But whatever happens (with the new costume) he will still be Jim and still be a part of the festival,” she said
And while Banana’s (and banana-shaped lycra) might be expensive this year to the people of Murwillumbah, surrounding area and indeed the entire Tweed, the Tweed Valley Banana Festival is priceless.
Now celebrating its 56th year the annual festival is a major part of the Valley’s calendar and is more than just bananas –also featuring widow decorating competitions, art shows and fashion parades and culminating in the crowning of King Cavendish, Queen Lady Finger and the announcement of the largest bunch on Friday afternoon, the annual ball on Friday night and Saturday’s main day activities.
This year’s ball, which features the crowning of the Charity Queen, will be held at the Condong Bowling Club with tickets still available from the Banana Festival office in Murwillumbah.
The Parade and family fun day activities will kick off from noon on Saturday.
“The parade will makes it’s way from the Showground through the streets of Murwillumbah to Knox Park,” festival secretary Carole Mudge said.
“We will have a family fun day at Knox Park with free rides for the kids.”
The day will also feature the crowning of the Banana Festival Queen and princesses as well as plenty of other activities – as well as being a chance to catch up with friends and family from around the region.
And there will also be banana custard and banana fritters and maybe even the return of the banana eating competition (for those of us who are starved of the yellow fruit thanks to the supermarket prices).
Carole said the Festival was a “community event” and an important part of the identity of the area both for the country and here on the Tweed Coast – where we have our own fair share of cane farmers and banana growers.
She said it was a good chance to have fun and enjoy the valleyl.
And in answer to the area’s most asked question this year – yes we will have bananas – thanks to the support of local growers.
And if you are looking for banana’s Carol suggested “buying locally”.
“Our office (in Murwillumbah) will be open for a week after the festival – and we will be more than happy to direct people to local road-side stores,” she said.
For further information on this iconic local event or to help with Jim’s Skin Peel contact the festival office on 02 66 72 6186.
