Go bananas for feast
THE tropical north’s most famous feast is back and will have plenty of new food sensations and entertainment for everyone.
The Feast of the Senses will be held for the 16th year in Innisfail on March 31.
The festival showcases the region’s variety of rare and exotic fruits as well as meat, seafood, herbs, spices and tropical wines.
Organisers said the number of participants was steadily rising over the years.
A successful attempt to break a Guinness World Records title at the 2017 festival for the longest banana split attracted 10,000 people, another record.
In 2018, attendance was affected by inclement weather, attracting only 4500 people.
Competitions are the highlight of the event, as well as the food.
Go Bananas, Go Yellow was so successful in 2018 it will be back again.
A number of businesses took part in the tightly fought competition to dress up Innisfail and the town took on a cheerful vibe for the month of March leading up to the festival.
Police liaison officer Michael Sands is expected to defend his title in the Celebrity Cook-Off and, new to 2019, the Tropical Fruit Cocktail competition is expected to attract entries from a wide geographical area.
“Food trails on March 28 and 29 offer the opportunity to visit farms not normally accessible to the public, to learn about farming methods used by local producers,” a spokeswoman said of another Feast of the Senses favourite.
“Numbers are limited to 24 per food trail, so the experience is intimate and food experiences are sublime.
“A gala dinner has also been proposed and on March 30, a new event, Innisfail’s Got Talent, is designed to engage with the youth of the region.
“That night is Feast Street, also new in 2019, and a night of fine food and great entertainment to be held in Canecutter Court, Innisfail.
“Headline acts are James Blundell and Becci Nethary together with the winners of Innisfail’s Got Talent.
“Although the area is sheltered, we will be covering most of the area in marquees. Canecutter Court will be licenced for the evening and ticket numbers will be limited to 1000.”
The next day the market extravaganza will include 100 stalls of local produce.
Food offerings will be tightly controlled to ensure maximum use of local produce and the best possible food options from around the region.
For the first time the market day will spread along Fitzgerald Esplanade and include a beer garden with brews from Hemingway’s.
Organisers are hoping to target high value travellers as part of their marketing.
An information pack revealed independent travellers, particularly international travellers in Cairns were a potential market for the unique, authentic tropical fruit tours, workshops and indigenous experiences Feast of the Senses offers.
Go to the Feast of the Senses Facebook page for more information.