Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is putting the callout for residents, schools, community groups and businesses who would like to join the fun and frivolity and register a float for the 2025 Autumn Festival Parade.
One of the New England's most celebrated events - The Armidale Autumn Festival will be back bigger and better in 2025 with Saturday April 5 set as the date for next year's event.
One small change has been made to the event with the parade starting slightly earlier at 11am in 2025 instead of 12.30pm.
Funds from the 2024 event – which was cancelled due to wet weather forecasts – will be rolled over into next year's Autumn Festival celebration.
"The Armidale Autumn Festival has been an institution and beacon for civic pride in the city of Armidale for more than 30 years and council is opening float and stall applications now to allow people to be well prepared," said ARC Mayor Sam Coupland.
"For 2025 we would love to see more interactive floats entered in the fabulous Autumn Festival Parade – think music, dancers or other types of activities that will engage the crowds as you parade through the streets of Armidale."
The theme of the 2025 festival will again be a celebration of Autumn. The 2023 festival saw the return of the hugely popular street parade that featured floats from schools and other community organisations.
Now is the time to get your community, sport, school or business group together and show off your Armidale pride.
"Autumn has traditionally been an important season for our region that evokes so much community and civic pride for the wonderful city of Armidale," said Mayor Coupland.
"The Autumn Festival marks the beginning of the Autumn season and the change of foliage from greens to yellow, oranges and reds of peak foliage in late April."
Other festival favourites will be back in 2025 including the Autumn Festival Markets, an all-new arts show in the mall and community and cultural entertainment in the park.
Mayor Coupland said the success of the Armidale Autumn Festival had always been driven by a strong council and community partnership.
"It is a team effort to bring this event to life and any help we can get is greatly appreciated and contributes to the continued success of the festival," he said.
Float and market stall application forms are located on council's website: HERE
