Hastings St open for Longest Lunch

Maria Venuti gets into the mood at the Noosa Longest Lunch.

Geoff Potternb

HASTINGS Street doors closed and the famous street opened up its heart and presented the long lunch.

The effect was so great on voluptuous Australian entertainer Maria Venuti that she was heard to quip: “I’ve been Noosafied.”

At lunch time on Friday, Ms Venuti, complete with bouffant hairdo, diamonds and cleavage, took her seat with about 1000 other diners at the party organised by Hastings Street president Jim Berardo and Greg O’Brien.

Now in its second year, locals and tourists enjoyed a street full of tables – representing 17 local restaurants – rather than cars.

In support of the National Breast Cancer foundation, restaurant staff donned their brightest pink hats, caps, shorts and swimmers and served everything from barbecued delights to gourmet delicacies among bundles of pink balloons.

“It’s puce people, with pink attire and blue ties,” said one delighted guest.

Fashion models with sparkling faces mingled with diners, musicians entertained and Santa Claus shared lollies with all the good people.

Ms Venuti waltzed along the tables and in her husky voice gushed:

“I want to meet Noosa.”

She certainly did, when at 6.15pm in front of a cast of thousands she turned into Mama Claus and marked the beginning of the festive season by switching on the lights of Hastings Street’s giant Christmas tree.

The tree, which is decorated with more then 1000 twinkling lights, charmed onlookers as it changed colour every 30 seconds.

At the conclusion of the lighting, guests received a traditional taste of Christmas as they listened to Carols at Twilight by the Noosa Carole.

The party continued when Ms Venuti did another costume change and emerged at berardo’s restaurant singing, entertaining and sharing the joy with another group of lucky diners.

Jim Berardo claimed another success for the event and said he was delighted they were able the support National Breast Cancer foundation while highlighting Hastings Street’s great restaurants.

“It was spectacularly pink,” he said.