EVENT TO HELP PASS LONGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR
WITH the shortest day of the year comes the longest night of the year, and tomorrow Gold Coasters are able to celebrate the occasion at a revived festival at Burleigh Heads.
Stilt walkers, live music, fire performances, lantern workshops, BMX and skateboard stunt demonstrations, face painting, inflatables and market stalls – the Burleigh Heads Winter Solstice Festival is stepping back into the spotlight with a big show after a nine-year hiatus.
Event manager Shane Porter said about 2000 people were expected to turn out for the “street party’’, which held along the length of James St and cover the intersection with Connor St.
The streets will be closed from 3pm tomorrow, according to the council.
The sun rises tomorrow at a very late 6.59am and sets at 4.53pm, giving Gold Coasters just nine hours and 53 minutes of sunlight.
The event starts at 5pm and will wrap up around 9pm.
Mr Porter said organisers had tried to include as much entertainment as possible “while engaging with local restaurants and retailers”.
“Businesses have extended trading hours – open until the event finishes,’’ he said. “(We’re) just keen to put on a brilliant show.”