Do you need any other reasons to visit Cairns in the cooler months? If world heritage rainforests and coral reefs are not enough to entice you to the far north, consider coming for the Cairns Festival. With over 100 events scheduled for the 16 day program it is impossible to name them all but go to www.cairnsfest.com.au for a program.
The Cairns Festival kicked off on 17th August with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, showcasing local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts, dance, discussion and music at the newly refurbished Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal over three days. The second day of the program saw the Grand Parade wind through the streets of the city. A procession of 58 floats entered and each supported by community groups displaying a phantasmagoria of costumes, props and vehicles. The people of cairns were not missing out on such a spectacular event with approximately 20,000 lining the streets early to get the best viewing positions. Afterwards a family concert featuring local entertainers and a spectacular fireworks display over the esplanade closes the evening.
A Village is set up on the cairns foreshore to resemble a carnival atmosphere for the duration of the festival. Featuring vaudevillian, retro-futuristic, sideshow romp with a quirky and unusual style The Village is planned to entertain audiences throughout the day and night of the festival.
More highlight events include the Tropical Pride Festival at the Tanks Arts Centre precinct, Reggaetown World Music concert featuring a whole day of reggae, roots, dub, ska and solid rhythms at the Kuranda Amphitheatre. Other major events include performances by the Australian Ballet’s Don Quixote, Music Botanica under the stars featuring Sarah Blasko, Colin Hay, The Big Laugh Comedy Gala, Jonathan Brilliant Resident Artist, Frank Yamma and The McMenamins, Grace Knight and the Secrets of Spice Spring Feast.
The Carnival on Collins wraps up the festival on the last day of the program. Usually held on Father’s Day and the beginning of September, the Carnival was first inspired by the arrival of spring to the far north. It is held on Collins Avenue, in and around the Cairns Botanic Gardens and attracts thousands of people to the various and exciting program of entertainment, activities and market stalls for the whole family.
If you have not been to Cairns during the Cairns Festival, consider this your invitation to include it on your itinerary
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