Port Douglas Carnivale unveiled its 2013 event program yesterday with organisers saying there is a lot to look forward to this year with new events, surprise celebrity appearances and gourmet favourites.

Port Douglas Carnivale manager Ken Dobbs said the 2013 event program, running from May 17 to 26, is the largest and most diverse ever to be put together.

“Port Douglas Carnivale has continued to grow and evolve into one of Australia’s leading festivals and these new events prove that people are hungry for more,” he said.

Mr Dobbs said Port Douglas Carnivale had introduced additional food events on the second weekend to round out the festival program and increase attendance across the 10 days.

Pictured: The promotional campaign for Port Douglas Carnivale 2013 is underway with seven VIP journalists from across Australia in town last weekend.

The opening weekend will comprise of the Sheraton Mirage Longest Lunch and the Macrossan Street Parade on Friday, May 17 and Food, Wine & A Taste of Port and the Family Beach Day on Saturday, May 18.

Kicking off the second weekend of food events will be Palates of Port on Friday, May 25. On Saturday, will be the launch of a new event, A Taste of Paradise, which Mr Dobbs hopes will grow to become one of the region’s most significant food events.

This one-day free event, which will be held from 9am to 5pm in Market Park, has been created to showcase the food, the restaurants, the chefs and the beverage makers of the far north region.

Darryl Braithewaite will also perform that night in an outdoor concert at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. The Meridian Seafood Extravaganza, held along Port Douglas’ marina on Sunday morning, will conclude the weekend.

“This is a day for families, couples and friends to come together and enjoy free entertainment and great seafood all along the boardwalk at the marina,” Mr Dobbs said.

The festival program will be further bolstered by Carnivale Club comedy acts, the Exemplar Clipper Cup, as well as other sporting and community events.

“Port Douglas Carnivale has come of age," Mr Dobbs said. "For 19 years this celebration of life in the tropics has been going strong and this year will be the biggest yet..."