Carnivale’s $60,000 charity hit

l PORT DOUGLAS

| Nick Dalton

MORE than $60,000 has been raised for charity during Port Douglas Carnivale last weekend.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the money would be donated to the Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation.

He said 220 guests at The Longest Lunch and charity auction were treated to a sumptuous four-course menu and local beverages from The Local Collective while enjoying waterfront views at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina.

Cr Kerr said from gourmet food events to the Macrossan Street Parade, Four Mile Family Beach Day and Australian rock legends You Am I, Port Douglas Carnivale has celebrated the very best of tropical fun, food and sun.

He said the perfect weather helped draw crowds to the various events across the three-day program.

“People have loved the atmosphere here in town with every corner of Port Douglas activated in some way,” Cr Kerr said.”

“This included Four Mile Beach, Rex Smeal Park, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, the Community Hall, Dixie Park and the Sugar Wharf as well as pubs and restaurants that were part of the live mu- sic trails event,” he said. Cr Kerr said Friday night’s street parade was once again the big crowd pleaser.

This year, the judges awarded best overall float to Port

Douglas State School, best community float to Mossman Sharks Junior Rugby League, best corporate float to Dougies Backpackers, best youth float to Bodies in Motion and best individual float to Sweet K. “The Property Shop Macrossan Street Parade theme this year of ‘Living the Best Life’ reminds us how fortunate we are to be living in this amazing part of the world,” he said. “The parade continues to be a real celebration of the world-class produce, talent and creativity we have in the community.”

Tourism Port Douglas and

Daintree chief executive officer Tara Bennett said the economic stimulus generated by Port Douglas Carnivale provided a great kick start to the season.

“The purpose of Carnivale has always been to bring people to the region in what is typically our shoulder season and act as tool to promote the destination across Australia,” she said.

“Once again, we have had a strong contingent of visitation from Cairns and Townsville as well as Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

“We continue to see a lot of people return year after year for their favourite events.”

In other activities:

• Rex Smeal Park rocked to the sounds of Aussie legends You Am I, while the Port Douglas Yacht Club dance floor was aglow for Tropical Neon Nights.

• The Marina was the setting for the FNQ Gin Fest on Saturday and Carnivale’s much-loved closing event, the Seafood Extravaganza on Sunday. Over at the Sheridan Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas the wining and dining continued.

• The beach day was a family highlight with lots of live entertainment, the annual sandcastle building competition, wake boarding sessions and water sports, dancing, food stalls and community markets.