GETTING INVOLVED.
Jacaranda Festival is the #1 event on Grafton’s calendar!
It is run by the community for the community and we cannot do it without amazing volunteers, businesses & community members!
Check below on how you can be involved!
INDIVIDUALS.
Spot-It
The "Spot It" competition is a popular, family-friendly scavenger hunt during the festival where you find items that do not belong in participating shop windows across the Grafton CBD.
How to Participate - Entry Forms: Collect an entry form at JACA HQ or via download it HERE.
How-to-Play: Stroll through local, participating businesses to hunt for the misplaced items in their windows.
Submit: Return your completed forms to JACA HQ or email them to secretary@jacarandafestival.com or upload it HERE to be in the running for prizes.
Join the Purple Army - Volunteer
The Purple Army is the official volunteer corps of the festival.
The Purple Army is known for its wide range of behind-the-scenes contributions, which include:
Event Operations: Volunteers manage set-up, pack-down, pick up litter, provide information to tourists, drive the hop on hop off bus, assist with Jaca HQ and assist with daily logistics across the 10-day festival footprint.
You help run events such as the float procession, Retrofest, venetian carnival.
You do not have to be available for the entire 10 days. There will be a volunteer spreadsheet with dates and times that you can sign up for.
Become a Member
Joining the Grafton Jacaranda Festival is a great way to help organize Australia's oldest floral festival.
You can become a general member for a small annual fee of around $10, which gives you a voice in planning the annual purple season in the Clarence Valley, a chance to attend the AGM and vote on the next committee or if you are keen, become a member of the committee.
To Apply, purchase the membership, complete the sign up form & checkout.
ORGS & BUSINESSES.
Spot-It
The "Spot It"competition is a popular, family-friendly scavenger hunt during the festival where you find items that do not belong in participating shop windows across the Grafton CBD.
Deadline to enter is Friday Oct 23rd, 2026.
Rose Bowl
The "Rose Bowl" refers to the highly competitive trophy awarded to the local Grafton or South Grafton business or organization that best embraces the theme for Jacaranda Thursday during the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festival.
The Rose Bowl specifically recognizes the "best dressed staff" and CBD businesses that go above and beyond with costuming, window displays, and public entertainment.
The Award: The prestigious "Rose Bowl" (sometimes called the Crowning Glory Rose Bowl) is handed out to the business that best embodies the spirit and enthusiasm of the festival. Past Winners: Notable past winners include local establishments like Toast Espresso, which won for their highly immersive jungle themes and enthusiastic customer engagement.
Deadline for entries is Friday Oct 23rd, 2026.
Gold/Silver Cup
These are the prestigious, coveted trophies awarded to the winning local business that delivers the best costumed performance in Market Square during the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festivals' iconic Jacaranda Thursday.
The Silver Cup specifically highlights outstanding commercial participation during the iconic purple season. The silver cup is for businesses with less than 10 participates and the gold cup is for 10+ participants.
The competition starts at 12:30pm. Acts are limited to 10 minute performances
Note: Please select which Cup you are entering.
Deadline to enter is Tuesday Nov 3rd, 2026.
Float Procession Competition
An iconic and highly coveted event during the festival. Featuring decorated floats, trucks and performers down Prince Street. Participants can compete for category awards, such as "Best Overall Float" and "Best Community/Business Float," with winners typically announced during festival festivities.
Competing & Entering:
Participation is open to local schools, sporting clubs, community groups, and businesses. Entry fees are $50 for businesses; $15 for community organizations and $10 for individuals. Applications will be opening soon.
Entrants are encouraged to use decorated cars, trailers, and trucks or dress up with a theme and walk or ride down the street. Entrants are encouraged to incorporate the festival's annual floral or bright color themes.
Floats are judged on creativity and community engagement, competing for prizes that generally include cash awards or account credits from sponsors like NAB.
Jacaranda Thursday Market Stall
Sell your wares to thousands! The Grafton Jacaranda Festival Jacaranda Thursday features over 200 market stalls plus food vendors, and pop-up events. This is the main event of the festival, where town streets close, crowds meander through the CBD, and local stalls sell arts, crafts, and gourmet treats.
Grafton Jacaranda Thursday Markets- festive crowds, live music and prime exposure.
Minimum Insured amount of $20 million. Please read the T and C's when applying. Book Now!