First weekend of Carnivale 2015 a success



First weekend of Carnivale 2015, a record success

Published Tuesday May 26 2015, 8:30am

The first weekend of Carnivale 2015 has wrapped up, with huge turnouts of attendees from all over the country and the world.

The Street Parade was a magnificent affair with fun for the whole family, including 40 floats with an estimated 10,000 people turning out to watch. 

Floats included entries from the area’s schools, a giant inflatable rubber duck, pirates, superheroes mounted on motorised eskies and more. 

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas won Best Float overall, with Port Douglas Auto taking out Best Commercial Float and Port Douglas Community Centre winning Best Community Float. 

The Janz Longest Lunch, presented for the first time by catering company Roux Blonde, attracted more than 200 guests and a surprise appearance by stage performance legend Carlotta, who arrived in a luxurious stretch Hummer. 

Weather was glorious at the event’s new location of Rex Smeal Park.

Seriously big crowds gathered on Four Mile Beach for the Japanese Yabusame horse archery and Knights of Camelot jousting events, with Polish ace Norbert Kopczynski proving himself the most on-target rider. 

Feast Port Douglas, also presented by Roux Blond, enticed guests from all over with a wide selection of dishes.

Rev-heads combined with refreshment at the Backyard Games and Motorised Cooler World Championship Racing, with local man Darren Thompson winning the adrenaline-filled race out a field of 47 competitors. 

Carnivale 2015 general manager Roy Weavers said that the event had been extremely successful so far and was looking forward to the rest of the ten-day schedule. 

“We have some really quality events in store, for example the Seafood Extravaganza which I am sure is going to really blow some minds,” he said. 

“There’s also the Clipper Cup, the Modele 15 fashion show, the Street Art and Music Festival, the Big Laugh and much more.” 

Newsport will bring you all the action of Carnivale 2015 as events roll off on schedule.