Carnivale officials estimate over 8,000 Port Douglas residents and visitors poured on to the streets to cheer on the parade of floats and performers that made up the annual Macrossan Street parade on Friday May 21.

The Street Parade is the traditional opening event of the Port Douglas Carnivale that now celebrates life for 10 days in this tropical Jewel of the Pacific Rim.

WATCH VIDEOS AND PHOTO GALLERY BELOW  

The Parade took almost an hour to wind its way around the main streets amid the crowds of Port Douglas, with participants in the parade cheered all the way.

The pubs, restaurants, apartments and streets were jammed packed with residents and visitors all trying to get the best view of the street parade festivities.

The best dressed float competition was won by  Black Mountain Hideaway, closely followed by Port Douglas Laundry.

About half an hour after the parade had finished, the firework display, saved at the eleventh hour by a small group of determined businesses, entertained the milling crowds with a sensational display at 9pm.

The pubs and restaurants enjoyed full houses and the crowds were very well behaved bringing the whole proceedings of the first exciting day to a close without any major incidents.

As a 10 day extravaganza those who partied on into the first night may yet regret peaking too early. The events and activities continue all day and every evening from now on until Sunday 30 May with a full program of fun and entertainment for all the family.

In fact earlier in the day The Longest Lunch, one of the foundation events of the Carnivale since 1994 was held at the Mirage Country Club with a record attendance of over 160 diners seated for the event since it relocated from its original Marina home.

Official celebrity guests were Channel 9 TV presenter Karl Stefanovic, Olympic swimmer Libby Ticket and Aussie Cricket legend Mark Waugh and their presence was hoped to help raise over $4,000 during the afternoon for The Leukaemia Foundation.

Annette, the spokesperson from the Leukemia Foundation spoke of the need to dig deep for the cause. “Five Queensland families are told that a loved one has Leukemia every day”, she said. “The Foundation has provided 1,373 nights accommodation this year to Far North Queensland families alone”.

Speaking with thenewsport.com.au, Libby Trickett spoke of her love for FNQ. “I’m a Townsville girl so I feel like I’m at home when I come up here. Unfortunately I’m only in Port Douglas overnight, but I’ll be back soon to stay for five nights”, she said.

Addressing the lively audience, Karl seemed keen to get up to some mischief while in town, “What happens in Port Douglas stays in Port Douglas” he said. And as I headed to the car park it seemed that the Longest Lunch goers would definitely be heeding his advice.  

The Sheraton Mirage Hotel Head Chef laid on a superb three course feast and the wine list, as you would expect from this iconic 5 Star hotel, was a perfect complement. 

This was the first opportunity to dispense with the tees and shorts and add a little style and chic as the occasion deserved. And the locals and their guests did not disappoint on the day, the word glamour coming easily to mind.

The luncheon ended at about 4pm and the party relocated to several hostelries in town. The guests settled down to await the traditional opening of the Port Douglas Carnivale, the Street Parade.

Editors comments: Wow, what an opening day, fantastic turnout for the Street parade, but remember everyone, this is a marathon not a sprint, so pace yourselves or you'll run out of steam before next weekend.  Newsport Daily encourages responsible drinking, so think of others as well as yourself during this Carnivale period and have a great time!