By Emma Groves

Port Douglas went all out with 1920s opulence and flapper fashion on Saturday night, with approximately 2000 guests transforming Rex Smeal Park into a swanky soiree for the Virgin Australia Food, Wine and a Taste of Port.

In line with this year's Great Gatsby-themed event, a glam take on food stall fare showcased the region’s top restaurants. Mahalia Barnes and Prinnie Stevens, audience favourites from season one of Channel 9’s The Voice, had guests up and dancing the night away.

Local businesses enjoyed a boost in trade, as Taste of Port event-goers stocked up on costumes and accessories to fit the Roaring Twenties bill. “It’s always very busy for me over Carnivale,” said Port Douglas Costume Shop owner Verity Borowczyk.

“I had a very successful Carnivale,” said Prue Borzi, owner of Costume Addict in Mossman. “ Lots of people hired costumes. Flapper dresses were the main thing, and I also sold a lot of accessories like gangster hats, fake cigarette holders, wigs and feather boas.”

Ms. Borzi said, “It was lovely to be supported by people locally, rather than everyone buying online. There were lots of new faces in store.”

The Great Gatsby theme continues on Friday, May 24, with Carnivale’s Palates of Port, an eight-course degustation dinner event at Sugar Wharf.