RED wine-stained clothes, giant fruit wandering the streets and an air of festive fun in the main street of Stanthorpe can only mean one thing - Apple and Grape time!

There are so many memories from my childhood which involve the Apple and Grape festival.

Days before, it was always my job to fill the display window of dad's main street shop with apples and grapes.

The weekend would officially start by lining up to be a part of the float procession for the parade or finding the highest spot possible to view it as it went by.

Then Saturday afternoon I'd wander around the street with friends, go on rides and trouble my parents for money to spend at street stalls.

As night fell, we would find a band in the street and dance our hearts out. Sunday was always spent in Weeroona Park, tucking into honey puffs and pasta.

After I had left home and moved to Brisbane, the Apple and Grape was always the one time and place you could guarantee you could catch up with as many people as possible and meet new friends - and I was always proud to show off what we had to offer.

This year, my weekend will kick off with at the Apple and Grape Ball, getting into the swing of things carnivale-style - making sure I look the part with my Rita Crawford creation adorned up my head.

In fact, as you are reading this today I'll be impatiently watching the clock, waiting and counting the hours until the fun starts again, after a long two-year wait. Hope to see you there.