IN THE GAMES
Cultural event coincides with 2018 Games
CAIRNS will throw a 12-day cultural festival to coincide with the Commonwealth Games next year with internationally-renowned artists on the program.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt will launch Festival 2018 today, unveiling plans for a series of events across the city from April 4-15.
“Festival 2018 is, not only a chance for the local community to be part of the celebrations for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, it’s helping to provide a lasting legacy of cultural awareness and creativity,” he said.
“The program will showcase the Cairns region’s talent, culture and lifestyle and provide a creative atmosphere to celebrate the best of what Tropical North Queensland has to offer.
“Festival 2018 will attract local, national and international artists hoping to inspire the arts community and provide quality entertainment for attendees.”
The celebrations will include the Cairns Esplanade LiveSite as a hub of art, design, music, performance, community and sport.
Cairns Regional Council will organise the festivities with Mayor Bob Manning saying a full line-up announcement was due immediately after Christmas.
“It will be something that will tie in with the excitement of the games,” he said.
“I can understand the government wanting to hype things up a little bit.
“The program is still being pieced together. Our people are working on it now.”
Festival 2018 events will also be held in Townsville, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.