Despite threatening skies, wet weather held off on the afternoon of the New England Festival. Nobody likes having their parade rained on!
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The highlight of the afternoon's festivities was the massed pipe band march down Danger Street to the Mall at 4pm, followed by a display of Scottish dancing.
In previous years, the march and dance were held in Curtis Park; they were moved to their new venue to attract more crowds. The move to the centre of town seemed to work; the pavements on Dangar Street were tight-packed.
The UNE International Hub held Culture Fest in the Mall, with food stalls and cultural performances throughout the afternoon. Nigerian, Saudi Arabian, Iranian, Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese students served their country's dishes, including Szechuan chilli noodles, al kabsa (Saudi chicken and rice), and Iranian stews made with walnuts and silverbeet.
More musical entertainment is being held at the Servies Club this evening, with pipers and the Australian Army Band Concert from 6.30pm.