PORT Douglas embraced Carnivale weekend with more than 9000 people attending the street parade on Friday night.

Glorious sunshine along palm fringed Rex Smeal Park gave the festival a fitting send off yesterday at the Fisherman’s Village Music Festival, while thousands turned out the previous night for the Port on a Fork food and wine extravaganza.

Carnivale organiser Melissa Head said feedback within the community had been glowing.

“It was a fabulous weekend,” she said.

“We are thrilled with how it went and the people of Port Douglas really got behind it.

“We had wonderful weather, huge crowds and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It’s been a big year.”

Head said the Wonderland Spiegeltent proved a huge draw and was already booked to return next year. The headline show, La Soiree, was ‘a big hit’.

“The Spiegeltent was hugely popular again and everyone loved La Soiree. It really connected with people and was a lot of fun.

“We’re already looking forward to next year.”


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Carnivale also featured the Longest Lunch function in Rex Smeal Park, a family beach day at Four Mile Beach and photo and art exhibitions across the weekend.

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu paid tribute to festival organisers, saying the caliber of shows was equal to anything found in major capital cities.

“Melissa and her team at Knockout Events are really taking Carnivale to the next level,” Leu said.

“I’m also very grateful to the huge amount of work done by Council staff behind the scenes to ensure we can all participate in and enjoy these world-class events, in addition to our major sponsorship of Carnivale.” 


IMAGE GALLERIES: Clinton Barter - Newsport.