Thousands head out to Mindil beach celebrate Territory Day with a bang

Thousand of people flocked to Mindil Beach on Sunday to celebrate the first Territory Day since the Covid-19 pandemic. How did you celebrate?

THE NTs beloved tradition of blowing things up in the name of independence returned with a bang on Sunday, as thousands celebrated a long-overdue Territory Day.

Hundreds descended upon Mindil Beach on Sunday afternoon to celebrate 43 years of the Territory’s independence from the Commonwealth government.

The beloved day, traditionally on July 1, was moved to August 29 after the Territory went into lockdown due to the Tanami gold mine coronavirus outbreak.

The date was selected so the Territory could join the annual Freedom Day festival, which marks the birth of the Aboriginal land rights movement.

Territory Day celebrations at Mindil Beach. Picture: Helen Orr

Onlookers sat on the sand watching as people lit the sky up from a cordoned off zone along one end of the beach,

Dozens of boats floated along sea watching the spectacle, with some setting off fireworks on the decks.

On the other side of the beach partygoers enjoyed the public concert.

The crowd was serenaded by Aussie alt rockers Eskimo Joe, Territory pop-punk band Danger Dan and 13-year-old singer Emily Penny.

Internationally acclaimed DJ Timmy Trumpet also took the stage, blowing away the crowd as the sun set.

It was Alana Braxton-Boal and Renee Rich’s first Territory Day and originally from New South Wales, the pair said they’d never seen anything like the celebration.

“It’s great, we didn’t expect this,” said Ms Rich.

“There’s nothing like this in Sydney,” Ms Braxton-Boal said.

While the pair were taken aback by the fireworks displays, said they’d leave the lighting up to the locals.

“I think we’ll let other people light them,” Ms Rich laughed.

Territory Day public events were also held in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, featuring music from a variety of local talents and much-anticipated firework displays.

Throughout Sunday, Territorians went mad to stock up on big bangers and tiny fizzers at the dozens of retailers across the NT.

Fusion Fireworks managing director Luke Caridi said more than 100 tonnes of fireworks had been sold by the company.

“It’s been close to a record year,” he said.

“People are buying anything and everything, they’ve gone absolutely crazy.

“They missed last year and they’ve been super excited all day.

“It was a relief but so stressful with the delays and dealing with the pandemic … It’s been challenging but worth it.”

He expressed a heartfelt thank you to all of the Territorians who made the day possible.

“I’d love to thank all of the fireys, the volunteers and essential service people behind the scenes who made it happen,” he said.

“Without them we wouldn’t have Territory Day.”

NT Police Incident Controller