The Piles Paddock picnic

From 1881 to 1909 the East End Market Gardeners Picnic was held annually at Piles Paddock (now part of Kensington Gardens Reserve).

The event began with a procession of over 200 vehicles travelling from the East End Market on East Terrace, Adelaide to Piles Paddock. The best-decorated vehicle received a prize. Families enthusiastically decorated their entries with wreaths of flowers, bunches of fruit and leaves.

At the Paddock, the crowds enjoyed their picnic and participated in races, including the cotton winding competition.

Pictured is a decorated cart from the 1905 picnic.