The Queensland Rocketry Society presented a display of model rocketry at the Logan City Council’s Grand Fiesta on Saturday 10th May 2008.  It turned out to be beautiful warm sunny autumn day.

Ari arrived just before 9:00am to set-up.  He was soon joined by Len and Phil.  Ryan, Stewart (Ryan’s dad) and Mike turned up a little later in the morning.  Everything was set-up ready to roll by 11:00am.  Brian and Lockie made it just after lunch to lend moral support.

Events at the festival kicked-off at 12:00 noon, but the crowd really started to build around 2:00pm.  The festival marquees were quite widely dispersed around the gardens, so it was difficult to get a true picture of the size of the crowds.

The QRS presentation included 16 rockets on static display.  We were also showing photographs, electronics, rocket motors, technical drawings, rocketry kits, a cut-away rocket and a 6-minute video of rocket launches.  We also handed flyers to anyone who seemed genuinely interested.  All up, we spoke in-depth with more than 100 people who are keen to come to the next public launch day on 8th June.  About 12-15 people said they were interested in rocketry as a hobby.  Although we wanted to reach an even greater audience, a whole lot more people now know what model rocketry is all about, where they can see rockets in action and how they can get involved.

One of the big hits of the display was an opportunity to play with Mike’s foam pump-action rocket.  Lockie and some other kids had a great time; and that’s what rocketry is all about.

We packed-up just before 4:00pm.  Everyone went home that afternoon very happy to have raised the profile of model rocketry in Queensland.

The Queensland Rocketry Society would like to thank Katherine Buchanan, Projects Officer with the Logan City Council, for inviting us to participate in the Grand Fiesta and helping us raise the profile of this great pastime.