The Maldon Easter Fair has once again drawn thousands of visitors to the enchanting town, leaving everyone in awe of its remarkable community.

The 146th event had it all; an ambitious celebration of the humble scone, a genuine back street billy cart race and a vividly picturesque street parade. The markets bustled, the cafes were overflowing, and kids revelled in specialty lollies or Easter eggs tossed out throughout the parade. Dogs delighted in the hive of activity while dancing in the street made sure the festive atmosphere didn’t let up.

Vintage engines were roaring, and incredible quilt craftsmanship, painstakingly sewn by souls with the patience of saints, was all on display. Just up the road, the golf club hosted the hole-in-one competition, contributing even more family-friendly fun.

As the long weekend winds down for another year, there is much cause to celebrate the creative, colourful and committed community that comes together to ensure the Maldon Easter Fair is the success story that it is. It has certainly earned its reputation as a fair to remember, and we eagerly look forward to the next one.

Letter to the Tarrangower Times Editor from Peter Thompson

Maldon Easter Fair

As President of the Maldon Easter Fair Committee, I write to say how proud I am of the Maldon Community and on the way, it has again supported the fair and enabled it to be the best.

From our small committee and the volunteers that put up a hand to help out over the Easter week, doing even the smallest jobs that sometimes go unnoticed, to the larger tasks of setting up the lights in the street and up on the tower, I know we all do appreciate your time in doing these things for our community.

One particular thing that did impress me was the huge crowd on Monday who all came out to watch and participate in our 146th Parade and we hope this can continue for many years in its current format. My huge thanks to you all.

I believe that Easter week would have to be the most beneficial week for business trading in Maldon. Our committee is very proud of the fact that through our endeavours, we make every effort to keep the tourist dollars in our community by providing free events for everyone to enjoy.

It is also wonderful to see so many community groups working with our Easter committee to put on events and do fundraising for themselves over the Easter weekend. These include and I thank, the Maldon Brass Band, Maldon Men’s Shed, Maldon Quilters, Nuggetty Landcare, Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum, The Maldon Lodge, Castlemaine’s Highland Pipe Band, Maldon & District Fire Brigades, Maldon Churches, Maldon Football/Netball Club, Maldon Golf Club and Maldon Neighbourhood Centre along with those many individuals that help out before, during and after our events. What great community spirit we have in Maldon.

This year our fair was proud to promote sporting events such as the Maldon Football Netball Club, which hosted Good Friday Games and the Maldon Golf Club with their Hole in One Competition.

The Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum hosted their annual Engine Rally, the Churches combined to work as one to host the Beehive Chimney Good Friday Service and many other local community groups participated in the parade. 

I would like to acknowledge the great effort by Daniel Clarke and the Maldon Brass Band, who enjoy playing at our events and entertaining us all, sadly there was no band concert this year due to not enough players available, the Band is looking for new players and they will be welcomed.

Hopefully, our 147th Easter Fair will be able to bring back some of the other events lost during our Covid restrictions, such as the Egg Toss and much more.

Our Committee is also starting to plan our 150th celebrations in 2027. We are looking at a back-to-Maldon Easter week of celebrations with a lot of local traditions. More about this to follow…

Maldon is a resilient community and it is so good for such a small community to be batting well above its average not only at Easter with events but throughout the year at all of our events.

So well done Maldon… take a bow and be proud.

Scone Bake Winners

The Scone Bake winners were:

• Commercial Scone – Maldon Rose
• Best Private Scone – Ann Hayes
• Best Variety Scone – Grace Langdown
• Best Junior Variety Scone – Tshari & Airlie Brown and
• Best Junior Scone – Charlie and India Rose.

There are no results at this stage for the Billy Cart Race, but it was a great success for its first time back on the program. Thanks to Noel Muller and the Maldon Men’s Shed for putting together this fun event which attracted  some 30+ competitors.

Grand Parade Results

• Best Community Entry – Maldon Football Netball Club, 2nd  Maldon Garden Club.
• Best Private Entry – The Royals, 2nd Thomas the Tank Engine.
• Best Commercial Entry – 48 Main (In memory of Steve).
• Best Overall Entry – Maldon Primary School (150 years of education).
• Best Character – Goldfields Gothic, Mourning Bright, Noddy and his yellow car.
• Most Humorous – Maldon Radio 94.9, 2nd Dragoon on skates.
• Best individual Entry – The Alexander Family.
• Oldest Exhibit – MAVEC Muckleford.
• Best Vehicle –  Bob Pratt, 2nd Kim Winderbank.
• Best Historical Vehicle – Hien Ottem, 2nd Andy and Pat the Dog.
• Best Farm Vehicle – Mavec Muckleford.
• Best Bicycle and Rider – Megan Rose.

Major Raffle Draw

• 1st Julie Nevill
• 2nd Mary Gazzola and
• 3rd Russell Ward.

Please sign our petition to keep the Maldon Easter Parade going.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 14 April 2023.