Federation Parade
On the Sunday of the Australia Day weekend at 10:00am there is a street parade down Corowa's Sanger Street.
Local businesses, clubs and organisations are asked to enter floats. There are also brass and pipe bands, displays from car and historic vehicle clubs and farm machinery.
Each year has a different theme and - while not compulsory - participants are asked to utilise the theme where possible.
If you would like to enter a float please contact us on 0499 878 529, corowarotary39@gmail.com or download and fill in the form below.
FEDERATION FESTIVAL 2024
COROWA FREE FRESS Wednesday January 31,2024
Festival’s “grand” comeback
Fantastic 44th Federation
By Adrienne Hartnett
Hundreds of people lined Sanger Street on Sunday morning for the Rotary Club of Corowa's Federation Festival Grand Parade, marking a triumphant return to the beloved annual celebration.
"One of the best festivals in many, many years" declared Gary Poidevin OAM, encapsulating the spirit of the Rotary Club of Corowa's 44th annual Federation Festival.
The Grand Parade on Sunday stole the show, drawing the largest crowd in many years and rekindling the town's passion for community, creativity, and celebration.
The festivities, spanning from January 26 to 28, kicked off with the Rotary Federation Dinner and Tim Fischer Oration on Friday night.
Local identity Gary Poidevin OAM graced the stage, sharing the poignant story of his father, Gordon George Poidevin OAM, a former Prisoner of War and dedicated community man.
Saturday night transformed RSL Park into a spectacle of lights as Griff's Pyrotechnics, generously sponsored by Club Corowa and Rivalea, lit up the sky with a breath-taking fireworks display.
Many spectators dubbed the l0-minute show as one of the best the town had ever seen.
Despite a slightly lower attendance, the Federation Ball held at Corowa Rugby League Ground on Saturday night drew praise from those in attendance. Mr Poidevin acknowledged the well-run and managed event, thanking volunteers for their significant contribution to the overall success.
The highlight of the festival unfolded on Sunday with the Grand Parade, capturing the essence of community unity and artistic expression, kicking off with a 9am Ecumenical Service in Bangerang Park led by the Corowa Anglican Parish's Mother Jane.
Leading the procession was the Corowa RSL Sub Branch, accompanied by none other than
Dylan Forge on the bagpipes. Marching bands, vintage and restored cars, tractors, and over a dozen community clubs, schools, and organisations paraded down Sanger Street in perfect summer conditions.
The creativity displayed by participants was nothing short of extraordinary, with elaborate costumes, dazzling colours, and meticulous attention to detail turning the parade into a
kaleidoscope of artistic expression. Floats ranged from whimsical designs to historical re-enactments, each representing a unique facet of Corowa's diverse community.
Cheers and applause resonated from onlookers, reaching a crescendo when the Corowa and District SHE Shed danced their way down the street to the tune of Dancing Queen, adorned in vibrant tops, cardboard tool cut-outs, and creative headpieces.
Lowesdale Public School showcased their creativity with a float titled "We go to Rio," featuring colourful balloons and students and staff donning carnival wings.
The Corowa Rowing Club's spectacular float, adorned with a throne of oars, rainbow fans, and balloons, was also a showstopper.
The competitive spirit was evident, with $1000 in shared prizes for the best floats motivating.
participants to bring their A-game.
After rneticulous judging, the winners were announced:
Federation Festival Grand Parade Winners
Best Float: Corowa Little Athletics
Best School: Lowesdale Public School
Best Themed: Corowa Rowing Club
Most Entertaining: Corowa She Shed
Having been involved in the festival since its inception in the 1980s, Mr Poidevin expressed
his overwhelming emotions at the massive turnout on Sunday.
"I was that bloody excited with the people that were there," he said.
"It was back to the old days when we used to attract hundreds of people. The effort that was put in for the floats with the decorations I thought were as good as any Moomba float! I was so pleased with the tum out.
"The market following the parade was packed with people- it was just great.”
Mr Poidevin attributed the success of the parade to the dedication of Rotary Club members, highlighting Deb Rowe, who took charge, and her husband Guy Rowe, who announced each float as they made their way down the street.
He praised the Rotary Club for their sustained effort, mentioning that the parade’s future had been in question in recent years, but the resurgence demonstrated its enduring appeal.
"For the last five or six years, it was almost questioned if the parade would go ahead,” he said.
"The Rotary Club said they’d give it another year, and thankfully, it has picked up again.”
"The community has demonstrated that they want this tradition to continue and to see people enjoying the parade and the effort put in shows that our effort is paying off. I am so proud of the Rotary
Club of Corowa.”
Mr Poidevin expressed his satisfaction with the entire festival weekend, highlighting the brilliant fireworks on Saturday night and the overall fantastic success for the club.
"Friday night was a wonderful night, and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and were all very social, Saturday night, great again, and Sunday was just fantastic.”
Grand Parade Prize Winners (Left to right)
Best Float - Corowa Little Athletics
Best Themed - Corowa Rowing
Best School - Lowesdale PS
Most Entertaining - Corowa SHE Shed
2024 Grand Parade Entrants
Corowa Rotary Federation Festival 2023 - Parade Theme 'Royalty'
The Federation Festival weekend concluded today with the Rotary Markets and the Rotary Federation Parade. Although it was a wet one, the Rotary Club of Corowa thanks everyone for coming out and enjoying the day, A huge thank you to all the participants in the parade and markets for staying, despite the downpour. We hope you enjoyed the Fireworks and all the events this weekend and we will be back next year hopefully bigger than ever and drier!!
The Free Press, Wed 26th January. 2022
Spectacular 42nd Federation Festival
By Adrienne Hartnett
The 42nd annual Federation Festival weekend has been hailed a success evidenced by the great crowd numbers and smiling faces across the three-day extravaganza.
Traditionally held in January each year, the Federation Festival was first held in 1980 and celebrates Corowa’s place in history as the ‘birthplace of Federation’.
Celebrations kicked off on Friday night with the Tim Fischer Oration Dinner at the Corowa Civic Bowls Club.
Federation Festival Director Gary Poidevin OAM said Friday night’s dinner with guest speaker Rosalie Ham was a hit, followed by the Corowa Rotary Club’s fireworks on Saturday in RSL Park and the “fantastic” Federation Festival parade down Sanger Street on Sunday.
“It was a very successful Federation Festival weekend organised by the Rotary Club of Corowa. People who attended the dinner, the fireworks and the parade all said they had a wonderful time,” Mr Poidevin told The Free Press.
Much to the delight of locals, temperatures remained in the mid 20’s for Sunday’s Grand Parade and monster market in Bangerang Park. Hundreds gathered in the shade to watch the floats and pipe bands come down Sanger Street with vintage cars and colourful floats delighting young and old.
The parade was led by the Corowa RSL Sub-Branch, with local pipe bands adding vibrancy to the atmosphere.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy and Member for Farrer Sussan Ley were also in attendance and took the role of parade judges very seriously as they watched the affair from the Royal Hotel Balcony.
Essential Energy sponsored the major prizes for the best floats on show including $1000 for the winning float.
“We cannot thank Essential Energy enough for sponsoring the prizes for our winning floats,” Mr Poidevin said.
Country Buddies were awarded “Best School Float” while Corowa and District Historical Society were crowned “Most Humorous Float” for a second year in a row.
The judges were extremely impressed by Gyles Newsagency who created an outstanding float honouring 130 years of business in Corowa. For their efforts, Gyles were awarded “Best Themed Float” in the parade.
Meanwhile, the enthusiastic Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club were awarded overall Best Float for 2022.
Following the parade, locals were able to cool down and enjoy the Rotary Club’s Federation Market in Bangerang Park with plenty of local produce and unique creations.
“In these tough times, it was great to see so many people come out and support the Federation Festival,” Mr Poidevin said.
“A special thank you to people who participated in the parade. It takes time and effort to enter and prepare floats and we are hugely appreciative to those who put their hand up to be part of the fun.”
Ms Ley also gave a shout out to Mr Poidevin for his tireless work creating an incredible event for the community over many years.
“Gary has been part of the Federation Festival for 42 years which is just outstanding,” she said.
“Well done Gary! And well done to all the participants and the Rotary Club of Corowa for continuing to organise this long-standing and wonderful tradition.”
2021-01-24 Federation Festival Parade
Despite the soaring temperatures over the weekend, hundreds of locals gathered on Sunday to watch the floats and pipe bands come down Sanger Street. It was a year like no other with COVID-19 check in stations and sanitizer available to the public.
A total of 19 entries paraded down the street. These included floats, bands, emergency service vehicles, mini coopers and vintage tractors. After a year of limited performance opportunities, five pipe bands including the Scots School Albury Pipe Band embraced the opportunity to perform for the community. Corowa Public School was awarded the "Best School Float" award as well as "Best Presented Float" while the Corowa Federation Museum float was crowned "Most Humorous Float".
Despite only three weeks notice, everyone who made the effort to attend and contribute to the weekend's festivities should be praised. It was certainly a most enjoyable parade.
2019-01-24 Federation Festival Parade
Below are some photos from a number of Federation Parades. To view a larger version double click on the photo.
