The Puff Ball didn’t really start at the advertised time on Saturday evening. For many people it began much earlier when busy hands began working on their “Fungi Based” costumes. From intricately formed mycelium hats to flashing lights illuminating gigantic toadstools with flashing LEDs to frilly headgear resembling lichen an amazing variety and number of outfits were created. Once the glue and the papier mache dried it was time to head to the Strathbogie Hall, warm and cosy and WOW! “Look at the Stage!” The folk responsible for decorating the Hall had done an amazing job of depicting a world of Fungi on stage with vibrant colours, dramatic lighting and scenes intricately connected with larger than life mycelia.
When you’ve created something amazing to look at of course the thing to do is to show off your outfits. And this the whole audience did, following Nick Lester and the band down the streets of Strathbogie, (actually, just “The Street”) into the frosty night air. It must’ve been a bizarre sight watching this procession of decked out people parading in Strathbogie on a Saturday night.
Back inside the music was just fabulous , (made for dancing) and the food was delicious. Watching the large crowd it was obvious that just about everyone had made more than a token effort to come to the Ball in a Fungi-themed outfit. The Puff Ball was a raging success, and with everyone getting into the spirit of things it added to the success of the night. There were many comments about “Next Year”, however that might be too hard a task for the organisers! Hopefully 2027 will be the next Festival of Fungi , with, also hopefully, another Puff Ball.
Many thanks to all of those who decorated, advertised, cooked, played instruments and most of all those who CAME!
Justus Hagen
