QUEANBEYAN Gift organiser Tracey Lamont believes the event’s new two-day format could be here to stay after the success of last weekend’s 175th Birthday carnival.
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This year was the first time the Gift has been held over two days instead of one and Lamont said the gamble had paid off.
And while preparations are yet to begin for next year’s Gift, Lamont said all signs pointed toward the event retaining its two-day status.
“We’re yet to have a bit of a debrief on it all but it’s all looking good to continue the winning format [next year],” she said. “The feedback we were getting was that it was the best Gift carnival ever.
“A lot of the people in attendance had never been to Queanbeyan before and they were so impressed by the city and by [Queanbeyan Park].”
In the carnival’s marquee races, the Men’s Gift was won by Canberran Angus Gould while 16-year-old Melbourne teenager Maddie Coates claimed the Women’s Gift in a thrilling photo finish.
Both winners pocketed $10,000 for their efforts.
As has become tradition in recent years, the Gift was also held in conjunction with Queanbeyan City Council’s Family Fun Day in Town Park on Sunday.
Families were able to take advantage of the numerous activities on the day including pony rides, face painting, show rides and the always popular Patting Paddock.
