NarraBRIGHT returns bigger and brighter in 2024

NarraBRIGHT keeps getting bigger and brighter, as the CREATE Festival Street party that lights up the Narrabri CBD came back with dazzling force on Friday, March 15.

Gilly Goddard is the event director for the beloved community event and is thrilled to see it continue to grow, year after year.

“We were really happy with the crowd numbers, the weather was wonderful, and made for an enjoyable night for all.

“We were also astounded by the number of new visitors we received from across the region, people are coming to town especially to attend the event, which is fantastic for showcasing our local community.”

Patti Lettice gave the official welcome to country, and Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens gave a cheerful opening speech, inviting the community to celebrate and take in the lights and glorious displays that lit up the main street.

The fourth successful evening was developed as a way to bring people into the CBD, shine a spotlight on local businesses, and celebrate our vibrant community.

“Businesses are crucial to the success of the event, we’ve had reports that they had great numbers of customers throughout the evening,” said Gilly.

Last year the event saw an estimated 4000 attendees, and an unofficial estimate for those who ascended into the heart of Maitland Street will reach almost 6000 who gathered to enjoy the Narrabri celebration of lights.

The second successful addition of the building art installations was created once again by Illuminart Australia, and this year, live entertainment took the event to a whole new level, atop the generously donated Tourist Hotel community stage.

“NarraBRIGHT has opened people’s eyes to what is possible in our backyard – in a regional country town,” said Gilly.

“We produce something that gives people an opportunity to see things that they might not see unless they went to a major event in a capital city.”

This year the event had 25 food options across the CBD, and 12 food stalls noted they were sold out and did great numbers.

For the first time, the event also offered a licensed bar on the main street which was highly successful.

Fourteen community groups also ran stalls to raise funds and awareness for their organisations through raffles, barbecues, and selling other items.

Another first for the town was Narrabri and District Community Aid Services Inc laser tag course for their ‘Youth Zone’ which was very well received by kids, with many experiencing the fun activity for the very first time.

Three incredible projection installations illuminated three prominent CBD buildings, and lights were on at 8pm on the dot.

The first installation featured on Meat on Maitland and McDonalds Fashion and was a storyboard illustrating natural fauna and flora and landscapes in our local area and our natural landscape as well as the seasons we live through in our part of the world; drought, rain, and flood.

The projection also featured the pink slug which is endemic to the shire region.

The second storyboard projection on the Westpac building provided an ode to our industrial roots of agriculture, and a nod to our mining industries as well as our scientific base and natural landscape.

“The building’s installation paid tribute to natural endowments and industries that underpin our economy,” said Gilly.

The Best Employment (old Clubhouse Hotel) building held specific cultural significance and featured original artworks by Gomeroi woman Caitlin Trindall, and paid tribute to her family and grandfather Stan, who are from the Narrabri area.

Caitlin travelled from Sydney with her family, partner, and child to attend the event.

“It was a very emotional and heart-warming moment when Caitlin’s projection came to life on the clubhouse building, with her family,” said Gilly.

It was spectacular that four generations of her family and her child were there to witness it together.”

On behalf of the shire council, Gilly also wanted to thank businesses and community groups for all their support for the event.

“It doesn’t happen without all of them, and we’re so thankful that we’re able to come together and put on an event that provides activities for children to enjoy, and get everyone out together enjoying our nightlife,” said Gilly.

“It’s really important to keep continuing to put on events like Narrabright, to showcase our community spirit, and support the organisations and businesses who keep Narrabri thriving.”