View Sharon Shostak’s video of last year’s Love Lennox carnival.
If last year’s gathering was any indication, there will be a lot of love in the air at Lennox Head on Saturday, June 7.
That’s the day locals and visitors will once again gather to celebrate their passion for the popular surfing village just north of Ballina.
The Love Lennox carnival, launched last year as a bit of a rush job by the Lennox Chamber of Commerce, has been bulked up considerably this year, according to chamber president Kiri Dicker.
‘It was conceived in just three weeks and had a budget of $300, yet we still got hundreds of people attending,’ Ms Dicker said.
It was successful because entertainers, musicians, artists and businesses embraced the concept, she said.
‘This year the carnival is being self-funded by members of the Chamber, although the North Coast Holiday Park has agreed to be the major sponsor.’
Ms Dicker said it would be ‘the biggest celebration of everything we love about Lennox’, with plenty of music, arts and activities.
The carnival will begin at 9am with a Welcome to Country by members of the Bundjalung Aboriginal community, although some village roads will be closed from 6am to set up for activities.
Ballina Shire Council has approved a closure from Rayner Lane to Park Lane in both directions, with traffic detours in place along Park Lane and Rayner Lane. The southbound bus stop will be relocated outside the Thai Garden Restaurant.
Master showman Shep Huntly will perform his mix of comedy and ‘death-defying antics’ outside the IGA at 10am and 2pm, while the ladies from Fitness Matters will stage a Zumba Flash Mob in the centre of the village at 11am.
The Samba Blisstas, a 20–40-person-strong drumming troupe, take over at midday, followed by Yoga In The Park at 3pm.
The mass yoga event will take place on the grassy area, beachside, opposite the bus shelter.
Other activities include a treasure hunt for children, markets and a craft fair, and a photographic competition, which will challenge people to use their smartphones to upload images of Lennox.
For young skaters, the guys from Truck Stop Skate in Ballina will host a skating competition for under-12s from 10am to midday, with over-12s competing between 1pm and 3pm.
For the full range of activities, check out the website at lovelennox.com.au.