by Ted Jennings

It was surprising to be cycling through Pelzer Park/Pityarilla (Park 19) last Saturday afternoon to hear a deep driving dance bass line coming through the bushes.

Usually on a sunny weekend, the park is alive only with the sounds of children laughing and playing in Marshmallow Playspace, off Glen Osmond Road.

I veered off the Park Lands Trail and ventured through the scrub to discover a makeshift stage with lighting and sound booth being set up. About half a dozen people had carried in two marquees, one for the stage and another smaller one for the sound booth. Their power came from a generator they had brought with them. The team was busy setting up, so I didn't disturb them but resolved to investigate later, after sunset.

Around nine o’clock that evening I commuted on my bike to investigate. As soon as I passed the Marshmallow playground I could see the warm light radiating and deep bass resonating from the small area. There were about 40 people peacefully sitting and dancing in the small area, many in costumes from the rave era from the 90’s and early 2000’s. Several younger children had come in with their parents and seemed to be having a fantastic time.

I got talking to gentleman who was dressed in an ultraviolet outfit which resembled a jellyfish when he danced. He told me these events are held all around Adelaide, occasionally at Garden Island near Port Adelaide, other times at Waikerie in the Riverland. He told me that over the years he had planted hundreds of thousands of trees and the group's goal was to always leave each area tidier than they had found it.

This was a fabulous find in Adelaides World Unique Park Lands, it always pays to investigate if you hear, see or smell something while out exploring.