STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS
Carnival of Flowers claims biggest event in Queensland
STOP and take a bow, Toowoomba — you’ve ensured the city can lay claim to having the biggest tourism event in the state this year.
More than 60,000 people packed out the CBD for the popular Grand Central floral parade on Saturday morning, which included Romana and Mick Di Liva from the Vespa Club of Brisbane (pictured).
Combined with ticket sales from the Festival of Food and Wine last weekend and the thousands enjoying public and private gardens and even conservative estimates are putting the tourist numbers at above 100,000 people.
TOOWOOMBA can confidently lay claim to having held the biggest event in Queensland this year, after tens of thousands of people packed out the city for a massive weekend of major attractions.
Organisers estimated more than 60,000 people lined the Toowoomba CBD streets for the Grand Central floral parade, while garden hosts and small businesses reported some of their best trading days in years.
Coupled with the 15,000 official attendees of the Festival of Food and Wine, the carnival has produced a turnout that few events this year could rival.
Environment and community chair Councillor James O’Shea said the turnout of so many people from all over the state highlighted the city’s performance with the carnival.
“I thought it was a wonderful success and that can be judged by the smiling faces that were 10 or 20 people deep,” he said, referring to the parade.
“The amount of people raving about the parade has been incredible, that’s what hit home for me.
“This is the biggest event in Queensland this year, without a doubt.
“Everywhere I’ve gone, the amount of businesses or gardens said Friday was the biggest day they’ve had.
“Whether it’s been Food and Wine or the parade or going to the smaller events or the gardens, everything has had a wonderful reception.”
Mr O’Shea said the carnival underpinned the Toowoomba region’s community spirit, which he noted was on full display this weekend.
“It’s an escape for people from some of the realities we’re facing,” he said.
“It’s a chance to celebrate community spirit, and I think Toowoomba does it better than everywhere else.
“I think it’s a massive result, considering we can’t have interstate visitors.”
Mr O’Shea said the Toowoomba Regional Council and carnival organising committee will consider permanently spreading major events over multiple weekends, following the successful trial this year.
The parade itself produced nearly 60 high-quality entrants, with Woolworths again taking out the top prize.
Other float winners from the parade included Mary McKillop College (bands section), Darling Downs Scouts (community), Dancing Stars Toowoomba (walking) and the inaugural LGBTQIA+ unity float (creative visual).
Grand Central centre manager Claire Torkington said she had been thrilled to see a strong celebration of
colour and community at the parade.
“We were so pleased to see so many people out yesterday, lining the streets and cheering on all of the floats,” she said.
“We really couldn’t have done one of these for 25 years if it wasn’t for the community support.
“We really must also thank the amazing organisations, charities, marching bands and community groups who put in so many hours to make their floats and performances memorable and entertaining.”
Grand Central will continue the carnival spirit throughout September with the return of the Itty-Bitty static parade, in which local organisations who couldn’t do a large float enter miniature versions for display.
“See the great work other local organisations have done with their itty-bitty floats,” Ms Torkington said.
“They really showed wonderful craftsmanship and creativity.
“They’ll be on display outside Michael Hill for the next two weeks.”
Other major events from the weekend included the public opening of the entrants from the Chronicle Garden Competition and showings from a number of gardening groups including succulents, bromeliads, orchids, bonsais and native plants.
For more information about events during carnival, head to tcof.com.au.