Yesterday (Thursday April 15) saw the Official launch of Port Douglas Carnivale 2010 in front of an invited audience of local dignitaries, politicians, residents, press and television media.

Carnivale Launch Image and Video Gallery 

President of the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce, Ken Dobbs told the enthusiastic gathering about his hopes for this years Carnivale. He announced several new events to expand and enhance the excitement of the 10 day festival.  He also thanked his organising team and Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Schier, Division 10 Councillor Julia Leu and the rest of the Council plus Local tourism body TPDD for their support.  

He also had a special word of thanks for the many sponsors who have supported each of the events scheduled for this years Carnivale. Ken said, "It costs over $200,000 to put just the main Carnivale events on.  So without the sponsors generous support, many of the existing as well as the new events for this years Carnivale just could not happen".

MC Sam Cullen Vice President of the Port Douglas chamber then introduced Clr Julia Leu who declared Carnivale 2010 officially open. She said "I have been associated with the Carnivale for over 20 years and I have a strong feeling that this years Carnivale will be the biggest and best yet".

TPDD Chairman, Wendy Morris agreed that this years Carnivale had a good feeling. " Ken Dobbs and his team have done another amazing job of organising this years Carnivale and with the addition of many new events, it will be a wonderful 10 days of celebration for our unique area", she said.

The main attraction of the media launch day was the arrival of the candidates for this years Miss Carnivale on board the super yacht, Enterprise with Official Carnivale theme song writer, Omid Master performing the song "Everything is OK" at the bow and owners Sally and Rob Sherlock at the helm.

This years Miss Carnivale competition is being organised by Corrine Durie and Monique Leman from Taste Port Douglas.   The four lovely contestants confidently handled all the media attention with great poise before 'Walking the Plank" up onto the Tin Shed's new balcony deck for their first public parade.

MC Sam Cullen asked the entrants a few questions to help the gathered audience get to know the girls a little better and let each of them announce which Charity they had selected to be the beneficiaries of all their hard work.

There was then a celebration sail passed by many of the boats that help our welcome visitors to enjoy our world heritage Great Barrier Reef experience, with Haba, Silversonic, Wavedancer, Synergy, Poseidon, Ragamuffin III, Quicksilver 8 and Sailaway IV, who held back their usual 3.30pm arrival just to be part of the celebration.

The champagne flowed and in many cases the bottles also celebrated by opening themselves as the temperature rose and corks exploded out the bottles, as if by magic, having earlier had their wires removed in readiness for the party.

The Tin shed did the media launch proud with excellent canapes and plentiful beverages all afternoon. They should be applauded for the new ultra efficient kitchen which really has transformed the whole ambience of the Combined Club making the dessert cabinet especially hard to pass!

The whole atmosphere generated by the media launch was one of excitement and a positive expectation for Carnivale 2010 to fulfill the ambitions of the wonderful work put in by the Carnivale 2010 events team.

There are a few preliminary events for some of the Carnivale events starting with the first knockout rounds of the Beach Cricket Comp on Saturday 15th May and the Songwriters competition on May 18th at the Combined Club but essentially the main Carnivale runs from 20th to 30th May with the traditional Street Parade running on the First Friday evening.

For full schedule of events visit www.carnivale.com.au