mmg.com.au

Thursday’s free Activities in the Park program, originally scheduled for Mactier Memorial Gardens, was transferred to the Senior Citizens Clubrooms due to the extreme heat.

Funded through a partnership approach between Parks Victoria and Greater Shepparton City Council, the performance only attracted a small crowd.

Greater Shepparton City Council’s leisure facilities officer Carmen Nicholson said on Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to hit 40°C on Thursday, council had little alternative but to move the event.

‘‘For the health and safety of our patrons and performers, we have moved the performance indoors to the Senior Citizens Centre, she said.

The program featured the Riverside Ramblers, and while it was meant to encourage residents and visitors to ‘‘explore a park and participate in the many activities on offer’’, unfortunately the weather put an end to that.

But while those attending the event did not get to explore the park, they still managed to re-live the excitement of the ‘‘Roaring 20s and All That Jazz’’.

The afternoon took people on a musical journey through the era of Art Deco, flappers, Charleston, fabulous automobiles and of course Dixieland Jazz.

Band member Bill Scott said the 20s saw great advancement in electricity, radio, motion pictures, air travel, flamboyant fashion and prohibition and was a period of unprecedented wealth.

‘‘Dixieland began in New Orleans and quickly spread,’’ he said.

‘‘With a lot of men not returning from the war, ladies let go of the Victorian era and dances such as the Charleston and Black Bottom, meant they could dance by themselves. It was a marvellous time.’’