Thousands attend festivals

l CAIRNS REGION

FESTIVALS took over the Far North last weekend with the Festival of the Knob and the Gordonvale Sugar Solstice Country Fair attracting thousands of participants from across the region.

The Yorkeys Knob Residents Association (YKRA) successfully wrapped up the 19th edition of the popular Festival of the Knob with 5000 people in attendance.

Festival-goers enjoyed live entertainment, delectable food and beverages and relished on retail therapy with the large selection of 60 local market stalls.

YKRA secretary David Stephens thanked the community for supporting the festival.

“Having the support of everyone who volunteered prior, during and after the event ensured everything ran smoothly,” he said.

In Gordonvale over 2500 people gathered to celebrate the beginning of the sugar crush at the Sugar Solstice Country Fair despite the rain.

Now in its third year, the fair, organised by the Gordonvale District Chamber of Commerce, offered a family day out, with inflatables for the kiddies, interactive displays, a parade and historical walks. “It was a lovely atmosphere, we had a good turnout, a little less than last year, the weather made it a little bit tricky,” said chamber president Susan Byrne-Callaghan.