Ingham Maraka Festival street parade and party a hit with Hinchinbrook revellers
Mermaids, pirates and an eclectic collection of ocean-going creatures featured during a unique Hinchinbrook festival over the weekend.
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Mermaids, pirates and an eclectic collection of ocean-going creatures including the locally ubiquitous saltwater crocodiles were on display during a unique Hinchinbrook festival over the weekend.
A total of 24 entrants featured in the Ingham Maraka Festival’s Street Parade, an ‘Under the Sea’-themed celebration of all things Hinchinbrook.
Featuring floats from schools, community organisations, emergency responders and contestants vying for the prized Maraka Queen and Princess titles, the afternoon parade and night-time revelry on Saturday was a hit with locals.
Festival president Pat Lynch said there had been a turnout of around 1500 people for the parade and the evening’s entertainment in Rotary Park.
“We’re all very happy, it was very well attended,” he said on Sunday morning.
“The night went very well, all the stallholders were very busy, I think our entertainment was outstanding, the feedback there was very good and overall it went very well.”
The Hinchinbrook councillor said the parade was one of the highlights.
“The schools did an absolutely tremendous job, the amount of time and effort they put into the different floats was certainly a credit to them so we are very appreciative of work they put in to make this Maraka very successful.”
Maraka, an Indigenous word for ‘happy gathering’, is a uniquely Hinchinbrook festival organised by community service organisations, including Ingham Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Hinchinbrook.
It prides itself on being a local festival for local people, as opposed to the Australian-Italian Festival favoured by out-of-town visitors and tourists.
“There’s no financial gain for anybody, it’s all about community clubs like Rotary, Lions and Apex together with volunteers, local businesses and organisations, helping make Maraka come alive.”
He thanked key sponsors Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Windlab and Wilmar.
“Without their support and the rest of the business community, it just wouldn’t happen, it’s as simple as that.”
The festival also includes multiple competitions, a cocktail party, which this year featured rockers Zacariah, an afternoon tea to introduce the Queen and Princess entrants and the Festival proper, which includes concert and entertainment events, rides and a fireworks display.
Montana Bain was crowned the 2024 Maraka Queen, beating out runner-up Johanna Buckle and Miss Personality Rachel Hallam.
Hazel Carey and Millie Bartolini were crowned the 2024 Maraka Princess and runner-up respectively.
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Originally published as Ingham Maraka Festival street parade and party a hit with Hinchinbrook revellers
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