Crowds lined both sides of Grey St for a massive morning of festivities kicked off by the Combined Caledonian Society Choir before a stirring bagpipe performance by Paul Hanson. Glen Innes Severn Council general manager Hein Basson began the official opening proceedings before quick speeches were given by Mayor Colin Price and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who then went on to unveil the official plaque for the upgrade. 

The morning had a real Celtic feel with numerous performances by the Glenmore dancers and a true community spirit with a free breakfast provided by the combined service clubs including Rotary, Quota, Lioness, Lions and Leos, enjoyed by many.

The highlight of the morning was the pollie ice bucket challenge where Mr Marshall was dunked by Can Assist’s Fay Burgess after auctioning himself off at the Glen Innes Examiner Business Awards earlier in the year to raise money for the local charity. Local identity Howard Eastwood won the auction and was on hand to ensure the MP got a thorough soaking.

Mr Eastwood then had a surprise trick up his sleeve, calling Mr Basson down to be knighted a Glen Innes citizen, followed by a surprise ice bucket challenge. Deputy mayor Di Newman also joined in the ice bucket fun in what was a hot morning.

Mr Price told the Examiner he was thrilled with the morning’s celebrations.

“I thought we had a good crowd and the event went smoothly,” he said.

“People who attended showed great enthusiasm for the upgrade and people were happy to have it finished.”

The first Spend in Glen draw was held and won by Ruth Davy, who won $400 to be spent in participating shops. Following the ice bucket challenge local entertainers the Bain Sisters sang for the crowd.

There was also plenty on offer for the kids throughout the morning with many children enjoying the fun of making balloon animals with members of the Glen Innes Seventh Day Adventist church. Adults also enjoyed the extra variety on offer with many empty shop fronts becoming special pop up shops during the day with a movie memorabilia shop proving quite popular.

Mr Price said he is hopeful the next stage of the upgrade will be an easier process than stage one where workers had to deal with hard rock beneath the surface.

“We hope the next stage between Bourke and Wentworth streets will progress well. There is no underground drainage so hopefully we should be able to under bore rather than trench because there is less rock in that section.”