Theme, new dates revealed for 2024 Carnival of Flowers
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will come to a close for another year on Saturday, but details surrounding the 2024 event can now be revealed including the theme and date changes. Details here.
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Whether it was sitting on your parent’s shoulders while watching the parade, biting into a loaded potato at the Bell St Mall or witnessing the first flowers bloom on a walk through Queens Park, everyone has heartfelt memories from the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
The iconic event will come to a close for another year on Saturday, but the Toowoomba Regional Council has already revealed details ahead of the 2024 carnival and its 75th anniversary.
Councillor James O’Shea said the month-long event had proven to be successful after breaking several records in attendance and participation numbers.
This includes 105,139 people who visited the ‘Our Shared Planet’ feature display in Laurel Bank Park, while 199,838 stepped foot in the Botanic Gardens at Queens Park.
“People love to come and see the flowers and these numbers really showcase the power of the petal,” Mr O’Shea said.
“During the first weekend of September we welcomed 20,000 people through the Botanic Gardens alone which is an increase of about 10,000 compared to the last few years.”
While the economic data is still being finalised, records were broken in several ways this year including the number of people who entered The Chronicle’s Garden Competition with more than 80 registrations.
Meanwhile more than 50 restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs participated in the #trEATS food trail program and 81 floats travelled through the CBD streets in the Grand Central Floral Parade.
To celebrate record numbers at the 2023 carnival, TRC and event sponsor of more than 15 years Peter Roberts Honda hosted a special event at the dealership on Thursday.
Several announcements were made in preparation for next year, which will mark 75 years of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, including the 2024 theme being ‘It’s a Party’.
The party will also be delayed next year with TRC trialling new dates for the carnival from September 13 to October 7 - a decision Cr O’Shea believes will not impact attendance.
“From a mother nature point of view, our gardens and flowers really only start to peak from mid September, so this will maximise the experience,” he said.
“Everyone has a story about the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and this event carries memories and evokes emotions for so many people.
“We really want to celebrate the nostalgia and history of what this event is with the theme and hopefully it’s records all round which it deserves for the 75th year.”
Seventy five cupcakes were distributed to members of the public with some hidden prizes including a golden ticket which is an ‘all access’ pass to all of the 2024 carnival events.
Five-year-old Hugo was the lucky recipient who will also be chauffeured in a Peter Roberts Honda during the Grand Central Floral Parade next year.
Meanwhile Erica Cowan, 7, managed to score a free ticket to the Festival of Food and Wine.
A large cake was also cut to acknowledge Peter Roberts Honda being in business for almost five decades.
Basket artisans create a buzz
After a decade of entering the Cobb and Co Museum’s Hanging Basket Competition for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, a veteran entrant has taken out first prize, but not without complications.
Middle Ridge resident Jo McPherson was one of more than 70 entrants in the 2023 event who designed a hanging basket to coincide with the theme of ‘Create a Buzz’.
While many participants took the theme literally and filled their baskets with handmade bees, Ms McPherson was recognised for thinking outside the box with her submission.
Sticking a Buzz Lightyear figurine from the animated film series Toy Story, on a miniature swing, the avid gardener surrounded the space ranger with bright coloured flowers and wrapped her pot in macrame thread to resemble honeycomb.
“It’s taken 10 years for me to win but I was honestly surprised I did because the competition was so stiff this year,” Ms McPherson said.
“I’m pretty eccentric hence my choice to use Buzz I guess, but who doesn’t love Toy Story?”
But there were a few bumps along the way this year for Ms McPherson who estimated it took her almost three months to complete her entry.
The green thumb enthusiast said while she had finished her piece early, she dropped the pot on concrete which resulted in cracks, weeks out from the deadline.
Rushing to the hardware store to pick up supplies, Ms McPherson managed to piece the pot back together and was awarded General Winner, winning a certificate and a Mitre-10 voucher valued at $150.
“I laminated my certificate and stuck it on the back of the toilet door and I’m going to fill guests up on water when they visit so they have to go and see it,” she said.
“The event gets better every year and I love meeting new people and seeing all the designs, but it’s also the scones for me – I’d walk over hot coals to grab a scone from the Cobb and Co Museum cafe.”
While her love for the community connection the event creates and the added bonus of the venue’s scones brings her back every year, Ms McPherson first participated in the competition for a heartfelt reason.
“When the event first started my husband and mum were both in palliative care, so losing them both at once was really hard,” she said.
“It was a pleasant distraction that gave me something nice to think about and it’s the only thing that kept me sane.”
Meanwhile the Toowoomba West Special School was awarded People’s Choice for their inaugural entry.
The school’s speech-language pathologist Simone Kendall-Robertson along with seven other staff members created elements individually, before combining all the contributions.
Ms Kendall-Robertson said the school wanted to promote the message of inclusivity and diversity of its students who use multimodal communication modes and Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display visual aids.
“The highlight of our piece was the ceramic bees which represented the diversity of all our students at Toowoomba West Special School and a sign that said ‘you bee-long here’,” she said.
“It’s so important that our students are listened to (no matter how they communicate) because they all have something to say and something to contribute.
“I hope someone saw themselves or someone they love represented in our little basket of bees.”
Both Ms McPherson and Ms Kendall-Robertson said they planned to return to the competition again next year.
The Cobb and Co Museum hosted an awards ceremony on Thursday to announce the winners of the 2023 competition.
This included Community award winner Gayle Gardiner from Glenvale Villas, Amy McGaw who accepted the Prep to Year 12 award on behalf of Toowoomba East State School and Vera Lacaze’s Judy Nielsen who won an award for the Early Learning and Kindergarten category, among others.
FULL LIST: 20 must-do activities in final days of Carnival of Flowers
While there are only days left until the 2023 Carnival of Flowers comes to a close for another year, there is still plenty of fun events to get involved in.
From stunning gardens and outdoor cinemas to foodie tours and competition giveaways, here are all the final activities in the 2023 Carnival event program.
1. Win 2024 tickets
Bite into a cupcake for a chance to win VIP passes to the 2024 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, including the Festival of Food and Wine.
To celebrate record attendance at the 2023 event and in preparation of the 75th anniversary, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and sponsor Peter Roberts Honda will host a competition on Thursday, September 28, at 8am.
Seventy-five free cupcakes will be distributed with multiple lucky prizes hidden among the baked goods.
One cupcake will have two gold passes for the 2024 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, which includes access to all areas at the Festival of Food and Wine and other Toowoomba Regional Council-delivered events across the month.
The lucky recipients will also be chauffeured in a Peter Roberts car in the Grand Central Floral Parade.
Other prizes up for grabs include three standard passes to the 2024 Festival of Food and Wine.
All members of the public are welcome to attend the celebration, grab a cupcake and go in the draw to win the lucky prizes on offer.
The event will be held at the Honda dealership at 193 James St.
2. Spring Bluff
Hop aboard a train and travel to the heritage-listed Spring Bluff Railway Station to see the stunning landscaped gardens.
Featuring thousands of poppies, ranunculi, stocks, snapdragons and petunias, there is a variety of colour in the garden exhibition to enjoy.
Open from dawn until dusk until September 30, the Spring Bluff Station gardens are at 59 McCormack Drive.
3. Outdoor cinema
Lay out your picnic blanket and cosy up under the stars as a family-friendly animation film plays on the big screen.
The 2000 film Chicken Run will feature on Saturday, September 30, at Middle Ridge Park on Stenner St.
To maximise comfortability and enjoyment of the Cinema Under the Stars experience, guests are encouraged to bring blankets, jackets and pillows.
Food trucks will be operating from 5.30pm while the film is set to start at 6.30pm.
Entry is free.
4. #trEATS
Indulge in more than 50 spring-inspired dishes, many of which are exclusively available until September 30 and are priced between $10 and $20.
Inspired by springtime florals, some of the dishes available this year will include a butterfly peaflower gelato from Gelatissimo Toowoomba and honey pistachio petit gateaux from The Plate.
Savoury lovers can also enjoy a bao bundle from Yodthai or soft-shell tacos with raspberry and hibiscus gose and marinated chicken on corn tortillas from Mouse Proof Brewing.
See the full list of participating restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars online at tcof.com.au
5. Public garden displays
Explore the region’s stunning gardens and parklands with native plants and bright flowers in full bloom.
From Queens Park, Laurel Bank and the Queensland State Rose Garden in Newtown, to Highfield’s Peacehaven Botanic Park, bring a picnic along to sit in the sunshine and take in the beauty of nature before Saturday, September 30.
Other public gardens include the Japanese and Gumbi Gumbi Gardens at the University of Southern Queensland, Picnic Point and the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery Gardens.
6. Creative classes
Let your creativity flow at a selection of fun art classes, guided by talented teachers at the Windy Acres Farm.
An aromatherapy workshop will be held on Friday, September 29 at 4pm, followed by a children’s art class on Saturday, September 30, at 10am.
An adult’s watercolour class will also be held on Saturday, September 30 at 4pm, followed by a floristry workshop on Sunday, October 1 at 10am.
People of all skill levels are welcome to attend.
A grazing box full of delicious goodies will also be supplied on the day.
Participants will also be able to take their handmade pieces home after the class.
All classes will be held at the Windy Acres Farm at 160 Westbrook Rd, Westbrook.
Ticket prices vary. To purchase visit windyacresfarm.com.au
7. Big Cow Festival
Step inside the region’s largest cow at the Highfields Pioneer Village and learn about the history of the Australian dairy industry.
As part of the village’s Festival of the Big Cow, there will be hands-on activities including butter churning and milking cows.
Visitors are also encouraged to climb into the centre’s giant sculpture of an Ayrshire cow.
Live music, a baby animal nursery and the dairy museum will also be offered as part of the celebration.
The festival will run on Thursday and Friday, September 28 and 29, from 9am to 5pm, at 23 Wirraglen Rd, Highfields.
Entry prices vary. For more information visit highfieldspioneervillage.com.au
8. Springtime art exhibitions
Take a look at several stunning art exhibitions and displays across the region.
The Lighthouse Toowoomba on Margaret St, is showcasing the beauty of nature through its Secret Life of Seedpods exhibition every day from 10am to 3pm.
Toowoomba artist Chelsea Baker will have her natural artworks on display, featuring Australian flora and mostly seedpods, giving new life to the products of nature.
The Toowoomba Art Society on Godsall St, will also have spring-inspired works by members of the group on display between 9am and 4pm weekdays and 9am and 2pm on weekends.
Nature’s Diversity in Mosaics will be held at the Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery until October 15, with a selection of mosaic, art and nature included.
Works on display have been delivered by artists Tani Bates, Catherine Conaty, Yvonne Ragonesi and Margaret Shaw.
The exhibition will be open 10.30am to 3.30pm daily, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays when the New England Highway gallery is closed.
Members of the Darling Downs Textile Art Group will also be showcasing their work in the Rosalie Gallery’s Beyond Bounds exhibition until October 15.
Through traditional craft practices, contemporary textile artists from across the region have transformed textiles into freestanding sculptures and incredible works of art.
The Rosalie Gallery at 89 Mocatta St, Goombungee, is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
9. Pub tours
Discover some of the region’s best destinations to grab a drink through the Talking Pub Tours.
Kicking off at Muller Bros, visitors can enjoy an antipasto board, before trekking to The Brewhouse to enjoy a selection of craft beers and delicious tastings.
The tour will then take participants on a trip to one of Toowoomba’s oldest pubs, Tatts, for a mouthwatering feast, before ending the tour with dessert at The Rock.
All meals and a drink at each pub are included in the ticket price.
Tickets are $99 per person and can be purchased online at tcof.com.au
10. Live music
Listen to talented musicians as they perform tunes between the flower beds and on the Heritage Bank Parkland Entertainment stages of two parks.
Live performances will be held in Laurel Bank Park on Friday, September 29 to Saturday, September 30 between 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm.
Meanwhile the Queens Park Botanic Gardens performances will be held between 9.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm on Friday, September 29, as well as 2pm to 5.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm on Saturday, September 30.
Acts will include JDF Entertainment, Maribel Gempel, Justin Ebert, Ritcher Caddey, Melanie Martin, Andrzej Fenner, Chris Edward and the Harlaxton RSL Brass Band, among others.
11. Twilight Tours
See the beauty of the Laurel Bank Parklands at night and learn about the darker side of plant life at this Twilight Tour.
Experts will guide visitors through this one-hour nocturnal tour, revealing all on topics including English and Spanish oaks, Gingko trees and Japanese maples, as well as rare species.
Participants are asked to meet at the Info Hub in Laurel Bank Park on Hill St, at 6.30pm on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, September 28, 29 and 30.
Tickets are $10 per person and can be secured online at tcof.com.au
12. Wine Show
Sip on a range of 200 premium local and national wines at the 2023 RASQ Australian Mediterranean Varieties Wine Show.
From rich reds to refreshing whites, there will be a drop suited to most tastebuds at this event hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland.
Running from 11am to 3pm, the tasting will be held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds on Glenvale Rd.
13. Hanging Baskets
Visit the Cobb and Co Museum to see the stunning display of more than 50 hanging baskets.
Proudly supported by horticultural business Yates, the exhibition consists of hanging plant baskets hand designed by local community members, groups, schools and businesses.
The museum and display is open every day until Saturday, September 30 from 9.30am to 4pm.
Entry to the display is free with museum admission which is $12.50 per adult, $10 per concession or $6.50 for children aged three to 15 years.
14. Art Trail
Cruise across the high country and meet some of the region’s most talented artists when they open up their homes and studios to the public, as part of the 2023 InStudio Art Trail.
The trail is an opportunity to meet the creatives who live in Crows Nest, Highfields and the surrounds, learn more about their practices and purchase a piece or two.
Presented by the Crows Nest Community Arts and Crafts Inc, the annual event has been running for 12 years.
More than 44 artists and their works are featured in the month-long program, including watercolourists, artisan jewellery makers and textile artists.
Paintings, drawings, mosaics, sculptures, photography, woodwork, homewares, jewellery and textile art will be on display.
The event will be held on Saturday, September 30, between 10am and 3pm.
Entry is free.
Access the self-drive trail map online at crowsnestartsandcrafts.com.au
15. Jazz performance
Sit back and relax while listening to the sweet sound of traditional jazz, swing and Latin music.
Hosted by the Toowoomba Jazz Society, the three-hour set will be performed by the Caxton Street Jazz Band with songs from the 1940s and on.
Patrons are welcome to dance or just sit and enjoy the music at Rink 46 at 46 Gipps St, in Drayton.
Entry is $15 per members or $20 for non-members.
Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 4636 9069.
16. Foodie Dinners
Enjoy an infusion of delicious flavours when dining at three restaurants on a unique tour catered to all foodies.
As part of the grand tour, attendees will enjoy an entree of tempura prawns with lemon aioli, marinated honey soy chicken skewers and vegetarian spring rolls at the Cobb and Co Museum.
Diners will then enjoy their alternate drop main of either beef fillet or barramundi at Gip’s Restaurant, before finishing the evening with dessert – a dark chocolate brownie or French vanilla creme brulee at the Burke and Wills.
A glass of sparkling, red or white wine or beer will also be served to visitors at each restaurant and is included in the ticket price.
Participants will be transported between each venue on a coach bus.
The last foodie tour will be held on Friday, September 29 at 4.45pm.
Tickets are $139 per person and can be purchased online at tcof.com.au
17. Gardener’s Lounge
Ask green thumb experts and enthusiasts all you need to know about the art of gardening at Laurel Bank Park on Hill St.
A team of gardeners from the Toowoomba Regional Council will be on site to answer questions about the park, floral displays and plants up until Saturday, September 30.
Workers will be at the park from 8.30am to 2.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 4.30pm on weekends.
18. Ferris wheel
View the stunning Queens Park from great heights on the ferris wheel, near the Botanic Gardens.
Operating from 10am to 7pm on Thursday, September 28 and from 9am to 8pm on September 29 to October 1.
Adult rides are $8 each, children aged between two and 13 years old are $4 and children under the age of two are free.
19. Blooming History
Head back in time and find out all there is to know about one of Toowoomba’s most iconic events – the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and what is now called the Grand Central Floral Parade.
The Toowoomba City Library on Herries St is offering the opportunity for the community to go on a self-guided tour of artefacts, articles and photographs from the historic events.
Running from 9am to 5pm on Thursday and Friday, September 28 and 29, the program requires no bookings.
20. Farmers’ Markets
Bag some fresh produce and handmade goods from the Toowoomba Farmers’ Markets this weekend.
Running from 7am to midday every Saturday, the markets are held beside the Cobb and Co Museum on Lindsay St, East Toowoomba.
Customers will find everything at the event from fresh fruit and vegetables, handmade soap, leather goods, steel works and jewellery among other items.
Food and drink trucks are also onsite and serving food, along with live performances by local musicians.
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