Carnival jubilee soars sky high
SIXTY years of horses, winning bets and fashion will be celebrated across two days of the Cairns Amateurs Carnival in a bumper racing bash.
The racing carnival has been a key calendar date in Cairns since 1958 and is one of the only amateurs carnivals that has survived in Queensland until its 60th year.
“Amateurs were set up all long the Queensland coast, but other clubs use it as a function in a race day rather than a carnival in itself these days,” Cairns Amateurs chief executive Graham Thornton said.
The diamond jubilee will feature plenty of action on the ground – and in the sky.
“A diamond jubilee is a remarkable milestone,” Mr Thornton said.
“We will have skydivers jump out of a perfectly good plane to reveal the winner of our $1750 prize package.
“In the past people have taken the day off work to go to Ladies Day, but they don’t do that so much any more. We’re trying to encourage people to take the day off with this prize package.”
Mr Thornton said there were a few community members and who had remained steadfast in their support of Cairns Amateurs over the past six decades.
“We have the Governor Paul de Jersey arriving just before 2pm. Queensland’s governors have attended the Cairns Amateurs every year since its inception,” Mr Thornton said.
“We have had some incredible sponsors too, including the Cairns Post who have been sponsors for 60 years.
“To be associated with an event for 60 years is pretty spectacular.”
He said this year’s program was tailored to suit modern racegoers while giving a nod to the past six decades.
“This year our diamond jubilee themed program has been created to celebrate this 60 year of local racing with a blend of traditional and more contemporary events,” he said.
The Cairns Amateurs Carnival’s Ladies Day starts at 11am today at Cannon Park, Woree.