Carnivale sees ten thousand visitors, millions of dollars for the region
Port Douglas was brought to life over the weekend with their annual three-day Carnivale festival bringing in thousands of visitors and providing millions to the region.
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Port Douglas was brought to life over the weekend with their annual three-day Carnivale festival, attracting more than 10,000 visitors and injecting millions into the region.
From Friday to Sunday, the tropical town was energised by a range of music, food and community events.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the event brought the town to life.
“Everywhere you went, there were smiling faces,” Ms Scomazzon said.
“That’s what Carnivale is all about. A great weekend of food, fun and entertainment while also giving our local businesses and tour operators a well-needed boost ahead of season.
“Last year’s event delivered more than $5 million in direct economic value for the Douglas Shire, and we are hopeful this year’s numbers will be just as strong or if not better.”
Carnivale kicked off with the iconic Macrossan Street parade on Friday night, drawing thousands of attendees.
Costumes, dancers and floats were set to the theme of ‘Tropical Treasures’, with Port Douglas State School winning the Best Overall float.
A family beach day at Four Mile Beach begun the events on Saturday, where hundreds gathered to watch kites fly and competed in a sand sculpting competition.
Mareeba resident Jaymie Armstrong took her family to the beach day on Saturday.
Having recently relocated from Katherine in the Northern Territory, Ms Armstrong said it was great to have a Carnivale event in the region.
“We very much enjoy having to option to one, go to a beach, but also to have different events to be able to take the kids to enjoy,” Ms Armstrong said.
“It’s something very different than what we are used to.”
The ‘Pooch Party’ saw the region’s four-legged friends, dressed up in costume, parade through the streets of Port Douglas on Saturday.
They then battled it out in the best-dressed, naughtiest dog, waggiest tail and owner-dog lookalike competitions.
Cooya Beach resident Penny Haberfeld’s Afghan hound Lily won best-in-show, much to Ms Haberfeld’s surprise.
“Carnivale adds a vibrancy,” she said of the festival.
“There’s loads of visitors, lots of interest and it certainly brings people out to mingle.”
The Pooch Party raised $3000 for the Paws and Claws animal shelter, which is more than double raised at the 2024 event.
The Longest Lunch event on Friday also raised $18,000 for Kids in Need of Donations, a charity supporting the region’s children with terminal or chronic illnesses or injuries.
Music lovers also enjoyed the Savannah Sounds program at Rex Smeal Park, where artists such as Zoe Badwi, Sheppard, The Black Sorrows, Glenn Shorrock and others headlined.
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Originally published as Carnivale sees ten thousand visitors, millions of dollars for the region
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