Goulburn's Lilac City Festival goes over a treat on social media

Undeterred by COVID-19 restrictions, the committee took the popular event to the people via social media.

Committee vice-president Dan Strickland said although some fixtures such as the street parade couldn't be held, the 69^th festival went over a treat, virtually.

"It was a great success," he said.

"We reached over 16,000 people on Facebook so that was a credit to the team. We had people commenting from Queensland on how great it was and that they missed Goulburn. It was good to take the Festival across the country and to a new audience."

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The Lilac City Festival Facebook page also attracted 200 'likes.'

Mr Strickland turned interviewer, talking to Paul Barling, who designed the original Lilac logo in the 1950s. The father of dance teacher, Liz Barling, also designed his daughter's winning window display.

"It was also good to have some physical events like the canoe race and the fun run, organised by the Youth Council," he said.

Organisers also filmed the garden competition presentation at the winning entry, Rossiville, and the Lilac baby and prince and princess awards, to name a few.

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Mr Strickland said the biggest takeaway from the weekend was that the essence of annual events, like the Lilac Festival, could still be taken to the people. In addition, it remained on the Facebook page for people to watch at any time.

A debrief of the weekend will be held on Thursday night but attention is already turning to next year's festival. Some new attractions may be on the agenda but the committee is also encouraging people to think about floats for the street parade, window displays, entering the Lilac Queen, Prince and Princess competitions and generally contributing. Young people are encouraged to join the committee.

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"There's definitely been a revival in interest in the festival," Mr Strickland said.

"We saw that last year with so many people turning out for the parade and sharing memories of Lilac Time. That was a boost and a motivation. It will make it extra special to bring it back next year if we can. We want to make the 70^th festival bigger and better."

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