PARTY IN PORT
LUNCH AND PARADE KICK OFF CARNIVALE
CARNIVALE 2018 kicked off in Port Douglas with decadent cuisine under the sun and a flashy street parade for all to remember.
Today’s program will see visitors enjoy the sun and surf for the Family Beach Day, running from 10am-3pm.
This will lead into a show at Rex Smeal Park kicking off at 5pm by Aussie rock icon Ross Wilson and new band The Peaceniks, which will headline tonight’s live entertainment.
Yesterday’s Carnivale celebrations got off to an appetising start with The Longest Lunch, held in Rex Smeal Park, a regular highlight of the Carnivale calendar.
The food for the event was provided by Cairns’ Ochre Restaurant.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said the food on offer at the Longest Lunch showcased the best of the region’s produce.
“The food was sensational, the entrees really did a good job of showing off the region’s fresh seafood, while everybody loved the dessert,” she said.
Though the Carnivale has been a staple of the Port Douglas social calendar for 24 years, this is the first time council has run the event itself.
“We’ve always been involved with it, funding and augmenting through sponsorship,” Cr Leu said.
“But as this is the first year council has taken the reins, we wanted to put on something that would be iconic for all who attended.”
Today’s entertainment will also feature a match between the Port Douglas Crocs and the North Cairns Tigers at the AFL ground from 2pm, standup comedy by Akmal Saleh and a Late Night Burlesque show at Dixie Park from 10.15pm. For those who haven’t had their fill of fresh fish, tomorrow will feature the Seafood Extravaganza kicking off at 12pm at the Hemingways.
Between all the activities, Cr Leu also urged people to take in a show or two at the Wonderland Spiegeltent, with its season of performances coming to an end tomorrow.
“Everyone has been raving about the Wonderland Spiegeltent, which has been a key part of the Carnivale program now for three years.,” she said.