Event Report: Blue on Burringbar St
The Blue on Burringbar St event, held on May 6th, 2023, was a vibrant celebration of music and community in Mullumbimby. The event aimed to honour the flood efforts in the area and bring people together. It took place on Burringbar Street between Dalley St and Stuart St from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The event featured a lineup of three bands, including Port Wine Ambassadors, Warren Earl, and Loose Content, who entertained the crowd with their soulful melodies, Western Swing style, and high-energy indie rock sets, respectively. Joel Salom, the wandering compere, kept the crowd entertained with his comedic juggling routine.
Emergency services, including Mullum Fire and Rescue, Main Arm RFS, and the local police, were present, adding to the feeling of community and being honoured for their efforts during the flood. The Mayor, Michael Lyon, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Paul Prior, opened the event and acknowledged country.
The event setup began at 2:00 pm, with volunteers transforming Burringbar Street into a lively music venue. Straw bales created a picnic atmosphere, and local food outlets provided food and beverages. A mirror ball suspended over the centre of the street was a highlight of the lighting setup.
In addition to the music, the event featured Art Alleys, which provided creative activities for participants. Alley 1 offered face painting, drawing stations, live painting, and a life drawing session. Alley 2 hosted an eco-art sculpture station and a zine-making station. The Art Alleys were well-received, fostering a sense of community and allowing families to express their creativity.
The Blue Circle, a temporary "Community Art" project, invited participants to contribute by standing in blue paint and leaving their footprints on the road surface. This represented the collaborative rescue and recovery efforts during the floods.
Approximately 2,000 people attended the event, which received positive feedback from the community. Friends who hadn’t seen each other for many years, and an overall desire to have similar events in the future and praised the use of the street for such celebrations.
Overall, the Blue on Burringbar St event successfully brought the community together, celebrated resilience, and provided a platform for creative expression.
