Granny Smith Festival, 1989

In 1989, while the grand opening/procession was held at Eastwood, the Family Gala day was at Top Ryde Shopping Centre, rather than at Ryde Park. 

The grand opening and street procession took place on Saturday 9 September along Rowe Street. There were vintage cars, floats, a Chinese dragon, Ronald McDonald, marching bands, clowns and a Granny Smith Apple! Entertainment throughout the afternoon in the plaza, Trelawney Street and in the upper oval at Eastwood Park included performances by bands, schools, a display of Tai Chi, The Flying Wombats and the PAL Super Dog Display.

The Family Gala Day, which was the conclusion of the festival, took place on Sunday 17 September at Top Ryde Shopping Centre and included a national costume parade, novelty apple games, face painting, bands and free rides for kids.  

The week of the festival was filled with a variety of activities including a church service at St Anne’s Church, history of Eastwood display, story-telling festival and many community events.

At the heart of all activities if not Granny herself was the apple: a Granny Smith apple baking competition; an apple pie eating competition; an apple carving competition and an ‘apple olympics’ which consisted of Captain Ball; Tunnel Ball and Apple and Spoon Races. You would have needed a big spoon!