The 10-day Cairns Festival wrapped up at the weekend with over 100,000 people attending 224 performances featuring more than 1200 performers and artists.
The packed Festival program included 78 free and ticketed shows, performances, installations and exhibitions across 12 venues and locations, including Suburban Satellite events.
Council is inviting people who attended Cairns Festival to to make the event even better next year.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said festival highlights included the spectacular Reef Light at the Esplanade, which depicted the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef through light and laser installations, and was visited by tens of thousands of people.
There was also a record-breaking 35,000 attendees at the signature Grand Parade along the Esplanade.
“The 2022 Cairns Festival has been an incredible celebration of this region, truly befitting a 60th Diamond Anniversary event,” Cr Manning said.
“Although the weather wasn’t always on our side, it wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of Cairns Festival revellers.
“We always aim to deliver a diverse program that shows off the beauty of this unique region and celebrates the community heart that beats in Cairns.
“This year’s festival was the largest we’ve ever produced, and the positive response from the local community has been overwhelming.”
Cr Manning said the festival was also an important platform for the talented arts community in Cairns and the Far North.
“Cairns Regional Council prides itself on promoting the incredible arts and culture scene thriving here in Cairns,” he said.
“More than 60% of the performers, artists and dancers who were part of Cairns Festival were from Queensland, with many of them calling Far North Queensland home.”
The Cairns Festival’s music program saw the launch of albums, new artist collaborations, and incredible energy from local performers including Cairns favourites Lady Valiant and Kaweyova.
Brisbane band Fat Picnic brought high energy to the Esplanade’s Main Stage, while Amy Shark and contemporary dance by the Australasian Dance Collective filled venues at Tanks Arts Centre.
Judith Lucy and Denise Scott returned to Cairns Performing Arts Centre for the Festival’s comedy line up, alongside everyone’s favourite organ salesman Barry Morgan and his World of Organs at the Festival HQ at the Court House.
No-one who dragged themselves out of bed in the dark to catch Patricia Piccinini’s breathtaking hot air balloons, Skywhales, over the Showgrounds at dawn regretted their decision.
Popular community favourites included Carnival on Collins and the Grand Parade, which featured 51 floats, close to 2000 participants and 36 dogs.
Winners of the Grand Parade float competition were presented with their trophies and prizes by Cairns Regional Councillor Rhonda Coghlan at a special ceremony at the Court House on Wednesday.
Winners shared in a $6000 prize pool:
- First place: Kuranda Town – Kuranda Up High With Diamonds
- Second Place: Passaros do Paraiso – Birds of Paradise Samba Dancers
- Third place: Cairns Rock and Roll Dance Club – Graceland
- Best Eco Float: Octo Bicycle
