Popular NT events return as COVID-19 restrictions ease

Two of Darwin’s premier dry season events are set to make a return

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets and the Beer Can Regatta will return to light up Darwin’s dry season event calendar.

Two of Darwin’s premier dry season events are set to make a return.

The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets and the Lions Beer Can Regatta will return for Top Enders to enjoy the best that Darwin has to offer.

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets will return on Sunday June 28 while the Beer Can Regatta will be held on Sunday August 2 at the Waterfront.

People at Mindil beach catch the sunset at the opening of Mindil Markets in 2015.

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets general manager Peter Ayre said the markets would only run on Sunday’s with about 60 per cent of the usual number of stalls participating.

Both food and craft stalls will be able to operate.

“Normally we rely quite heavily on tourists we are expecting a couple thousand of people over the course of the evening,” he said.

While the markets will be more spread out than usual he said they would rely on the public abiding by social distancing measures.

“We would really like to ask people to observe the social distancing because it is all but impossible for us to manage without the help of the public,” he said.

Beer Can Regatta committee vice-president Jeff Dunn said the annual event would be rebadged this year as the ‘Darwin Lions Mini Regatta’.

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“Due to current licencing and crowd control restrictions, the venue has changed from Mindil Beach to The Darwin Waterfront,” Mr Dunn said.

“The emphasis will be on kid’s activities and participation with a chance for the adults to also be involved and show off their creations on the day.

Despite her entry falling apart Kara Penton put in a gutsy solo effort at the 2019 Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“There will be restrictions as to the size of can boats, with a maximum crew of four in the water events on the outer lagoon.

“A junior boat building competition will be held in the Smith Street Mall as part of Activate Darwin in the last week of the school holidays, with water testing and judging on Regatta Day at the Waterfront Lagoon.

He said the association was working through COVID-19 requirements to adhere with Major Events and the Health Department.