Carnivale to rock seaside town for three days of festivities

l PORT DOUGLAS

IT’S party time at Port Douglas as the seaside town celebrates “living the best life” with the tropical extravaganza of Carnivale in full swing this weekend.

Port Douglas Carnivale officially kicks off today (Friday, May 19) with the gastronomical feast of The Longest Lunch, serving up the best of Far Northern produce.

By late afternoon the boisterous and colourful street parade takes to Macrossan St, celebrating the theme of Living the Best Life.

The parade of floats, costumes, dancers, performers, music and food stalls will be a riot of colour, with a fireworks finale at 8pm.

Tonight the Port Douglas Yacht Club illuminates with Tropical Neon Nights featuring DJ Sgt Slick and Electric Dreams DJs from 8pm.

In Dixie Park, the Wonderland Spiegeltent will host its burlesque cabaret Popcorn Underground, family fare Circus Wonderland – A Neverland Adventure and from 10.30pm the adults-only entertainment Debauched with Tash York.

A new event for music lovers this year is the three-day Port Douglas Music Trails, with different venues hosting local music acts in succession including Cinnamon Sun, Tim Woodz, Stuie Harcourt, Tessa Devine and JC & The Tree.

Douglas Shire Mayor Mi- chael Kerr said Carnivale was about including everyone in the fun, with events for all ages and budgets.

“It’s the simple things that make our lives so meaningful, from family and friendships, to surrounding ourselves in the beautiful nature and wildlife we have here,” he said.

Carnivale goes to the seaside tomorrow (above) for the family beach day, with competitions, food stalls, roving entertainers, sand sculpting as well as the chance to partici- pate in kite surfing and wake boarding. Just back from the beach in Jalunbu Park the fourlegged Pooch Party will be in full swing from 10am-2pm.

On the opposite side of town, the FNQ Gin Fest returns to the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina Port Douglas from 12pm, followed by a rum masterclass at the Sheridan Grand Mirage and Resort in Raise a Glass to the Past and the Italian Harvest Feast.

Saturday night Tropic Rock will turn up the volume at Rex Smeal Park with headline rockers You Am I, supported by local act Lady Valiant. Having released their 11th studio album in 2021, The Lives of Others, the group are in good form and after more than two decades of touring, deliver a live show that has earned them a special place as Australian rock royalty.

For the energetic, the Douglas Dash 5km fun run starts at 7am Sunday from Rex Smeal Park, taking in Four Mile Beach and the cross-country terrain of Flagstaff Hill as part of its return loop.

Then there’s a Seafood Extravaganza on the marina boardwalk, Sheraton Sunset Sessions for a poolside event of colourful cocktails, tasty Mediterranean bites and Café Del Mar tunes by DJ ‘Jus Joe’. For the full program of events and book tickets, go to www.carnivale.com.au.