The combined Sunset in the Park Father’s Day Picnic event at Rex Smeal Park on Sunday was a great success, with families and music lovers turning out to enjoy fun, games and laid-back local music all day and well into the night. 

This year’s event marked the first collaboration between locally-organised open-air concert Sunset in the Park with Port Douglas Community Kindergarten’s Father’s Day Picnic. 

The Picnic started off at 10am, featuring a wide variety of activities for kids and dads, including sack and wheelbarrow races, a tug-of war, jumping castles, firetruck rides, face painting and even motorised Esky races, with family bands Bodies in Motion and Cloud Nine playing classic sing-a-long numbers.

Things got groovy at about 3pm when the Sunset in the Park lineup took to the stage, including Dave Cooke from Kuranda, Timber and Wood, the Waywoods and Sun Salute.

Attendance numbers and collected fees are still being collated by organisers say the event easily met last year’s Sunset in the Park numbers. 

Organiser Sam Cullen said the event would not have been possible without the cooperation and support of involved organisations and the public. 

“We’ve had a great event here with an excellent turnout and support from the public, and I think everyone has had a great time,” Mr Cullen said. 

“I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to Port Douglas Community Kindergarten and everyone else that contributed to the project, there’s no way it would have been possible without your help and support.

"Special thanks to Raine and Horne, Woolworths Mossman, Coles Port Douglas, Papillon Landscapes, QT Port Douglas, HomeScapes, Dougie's Backpackers and NQ Homes for their direct contributions. 

"Also thanks to Radio Port Douglas, Newsport and the Port Douglas Gazette, in addition to all the fantastic performers and particular mention to the Port Douglas Community Kindergarten volunteers. 

"It's truly inspiring to watch a community pull together to stage such an event.

“We’ll be working to make next year’s event even bigger and better and I hope to see everyone back out for another day of great music and family entertainment again.”

Check out Newsport's photo gallery for the event below and check our Facebook page for aerial drone footage!