Carnivale fever is running hot in far north Queensland with organisers preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Port Douglas' showcase event this weekend. 

Rasa Restaurant at Niramaya Villas and Spa will host more than 80 guests at the gala dinner on Saturday evening, giving many long-time patrons of Carnivale the chance to reflect on two decades of sustained growth.

Started in 1993, Carnivale was initially intended as a town festival coinciding with a yacht race. 

One of the original organisers, Kerry Jamieson says while the yacht race never got off the ground, throwing a great party is something Port Douglas has always done well.

"The vision was always something to bring the whole area together and bring that party atmosphere," Ms Jamieson says.

"By sheer virtue of what it is it's become this huge promotion of the region that flows on for the whole year."

Estimated to bring in more than $20 million to the region annually, fellow Carnivale coordinator Michael Gabour says early events were 'organised off the back of an envelope' at the Coconut Grove resort. 

"It was a total, community wide commitment to celebrating life in this remarkable shire," he says.

Following the first Carnivale parade down Macrossan Street, Mr Gabour, recalls picking up rubbish until three o'clock in the morning.

Disheartened to realise he was nowhere near finished, Mr Gabour called in some reinforcements. 

"We woke up the head of the fire department at the time and convinced him to blast the streets clean so that when everyone woke up the next day, the place looked fantastic again," he says laughing.

"I remember the local Aussie Rules team marshalled the parade. It was really cool."

The number of events have grown over the years from a street party, beach day, food and wine festival, a seafood extravaganze and concert in 1995, to a host of proceedings spread out across ten days. 

Ms Jamieson says she sees room for further growth in years to come.

"I think Carnivale is still very much an infant and has a long way to grow," she says. 

"It could be one of the biggest events in the country. I'm ambitious enough to believe that Carnivale could be that kind of event."

Mr Gabour agrees. 

"I'd like to see it continue growing as is. The format is excellent. We can keep the core events and continue adding new ones," he says.  

"Especially the free family oriented activities. They're great."

The 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 5. 

Tickets are $99 and include a three course meal at Rasa Restaurant & Bar at Niramaya Villas & Spa. For more information contact Roy Weavers at info@carnivale.com.au.

Port Douglas Carnivale 'A Taste of Paradise' runs from  Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 25.