Festivals spread love, and dollars

AS THE sun sets on great festival in my neck of the woods, we can only speculate on the economic benefits of such events on communities.

At their very least, they impact positively on the attitudes of the locals. The vibe created lifts the spirits.

Then there’s the actual enjoyment gained by said festival and ancillary events.

Finally there’s the economic benefits to host communities, which can be huge.

I have friends who have created a bucket list of festivals they wish to attend in coming years and they have already notched up an impressive tally.

Dare I suggest we should all adopt their philosophy and make a point of visiting one or two festivals a year.

It’s not hard to find some which appeal. A quick scan of festivals will show they are generally based around food, music or hobbies.

I’ve compiled a list of some celebrations in country towns which should join our list of must-see festivals.

FESTIVALS

February: Watermelon Festival, Chinchilla (biennial) March: Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, Stanthorpe (biennial) Easter in the Country, Roma South Burnett Wine and Food in the Park, Kingaroy

Feast of the Senses Festival, Innisfail

CMC Rocks, Ipswich April: Julia Creek Dirt ‘n’ Dust Festival May: Beef Australia, Rockhampton (every three years) Gayndah Orange Festival, Gayndah (bienniel) Goomeri Pumpkin Festival Noosa Food and Wine Festival Hampton Festival Port Douglas Carnivale June Outback Film Festival, Winton Mary Poppins Festival, Maryborough July: Jumpers and Jazz, Warwick Winterfest, Bundaberg August: Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races, Tara Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing Hervey Bay Seafood Festival Mt Isa Rodeo, Mt Isa September: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Capricorn Food and Wine Festival, Rockhampton October: Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft Crush Festival, Bundaberg December: Woodford Folk Festival