CARNIVAL PROGRAM UNVEILED
THE Carnival of Flowers just got a whole lot bigger and better, with 30 days of festivities planned to take place across the wider Toowoomba region this September.
At the official Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2021 program reveal on Tuesday, mayor Paul Antonio and councillor James O’Shea announced this year’s favourite flower festival would be extended from the usual 10-day format to run the full month of September.
Mr O’Shea said the COVID-19 format of Carnival of Flowers had become the blueprint for change in 2021, with new events added to the 2021 program and the welcome return of others.
“It is with excitement that we can announce the return of the much anticipation Festival of Food and Wine which will be held in Queens Park from September 10-12 so tickets will go on sale for this from June 11,” he said.
“We also welcome back the iconic Grand Central Floral Parade … which will begin at 10am this year.
“It’s the event that stops the city, with thousands of families lining the streets to watch the colour go by. It will be held on Saturday, September 18 with a much earlier start time to previous years allowing crowds to enjoy a full day shopping, sightseeing and adventuring in our city.”
Mr O’Shea also announced a brand-new event, High Cheese at Spring Bluff on the first weekend as well as a new free family event on the last weekend called Cinema Under the Stars at the lawns on the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemeteries.
“In a major coup for foodies, we will be bringing High Cheese to Spring Bluff, to be held in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council and hosted by famed chef and local produce champion, Alastair McLeod,” he said.
“This will be an extraordinary experience, given it is happening at the beautiful heritage-listed station that boasts 150 years of railway history and magnificent gardens. Tickets to this will sell out fast.
“We also welcome Cinema Under the Stars, a free community event in the leafy lawns of the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery with a line-up of classic movies.”
For the full Carnival of Flowers program and tickets head to www.tcof.com.au.