Mardi Gras Drew Thousands

This year's Mardi Gras really lived up to its reputation as the climax to the Nelson holiday carnival programme. A balmy summer's night and the lure of the sideshows, the talent at the talent quest, the big pop stars, the air of mystery surrounding the "Big Jail Break" and finally the piano smashing contest drew what Jaycees and "Photo News" believe to be the biggest crowd ever to attend a Mardi Gras. This year, also, traffic along "sideshow alley" seemed to ebb and flow with much more ease than last year and a pop group ("The Throb") at the Bridge Street end of Trafalgar Street almost drew blood as their "sound" pierced the night air. And they had a very big following of the younger generation. The only disappointing feature of the event was the small number who attended in fancy dress. An extremely satisfying evening for everyone-particularly Jaycees who, as ever, worked long and hard to make this project as great a success as all previous efforts.

×

 

• 

Climax of the "Jail Break" - a bikini-clad miss emerges from the locked "jail" which had held criminal "Whodunnit".

×

 

• 

"Whodunnit" himself being led to the lockup

×

 

• 

Enjoying a quite dream

×

 

• 

Wendy Wood doesn't look a very wicked-looking witch

×

 

• 

Some people have all the luck

As in previous years, one of the most popular spots in town was the 2ZN talent quest. A variety of talent, some of it of an extremely high calibre, was given an attentive hearing by a huge crowd. Winner of the event this year (they were second last year) were the Woolly Dags Bushband, seen Above reaching for their wool cheque from cojudge, Mr Mavis O'Hagan, while other judge, Sean O'Hagan, splits his sides.

×

 

• 

×

 

• 

Second place went to Helen Moulder (Brightwater)

×

 

• 

Weekend hippie, Ernest Leaning

×

 

• 

Janice Brown, an appealing mandarin

×

 

• 

Those Woolly Dags (with a very smooth presentation): Dave Hart, Wayne Finch, Mike Brown, Vic Brown and Graham Forgie.

×

 

• 

A pair who would turn any headmaster's hair white, Stephen Furlong and Paul Turner, escapees from St. Trinian's.