CARNIVALE CALLS FOR COMMUNITY FLOATS
Port Douglas, 1st May, 2014 – Port Douglas Carnivale will be celebrated in traditional fashion in 2014 with registrations now open for floats for the 10-day festival’s signature event – The Macrossan Street Parade on Friday, May 16.
Now in its 20th year, Carnivale general manager Roy Weavers said they had kept the theme as Carnivale, marking the event’s 20th year celebrations.
“It is only fitting that the theme for the parade is Carnivale. We are excited to see what community groups and businesses will do with this.”
Mr Weavers said revellers could expect a lot of changes to the parade this year with organisers for the first time installing lights as well as a PA system along Macrossan and Wharf streets.
The action will also kick off 30 minutes earlier this year at 6.30pm and road closures will be in place so get in early.
“Port FM will be playing through the waves with Kim Hurley as MC. It is going to be light, bright and full of music, with street decorations and fairy lights to help create a Carnivale atmosphere.”
One of the highlights of this year’s annual Street Parade will be the street theatre, with crowds to be entertained by mono cycles, juggling acts, and magicians.
The Market Park Funfair, which is a family favourite, will also run across both Friday and Saturday.
“There is going to be lots of surprises at this year’s parade. It will set the tone for the festival and the opening weekend, which has a number of great family activities including the Four Mile Beach Day on Saturday and the Backyard Games on Sunday.”
Mr Weavers urged anyone considering entering the parade to get their registrations in as soon as possible.
Previous years have seen a huge display of colour and frivolity with well over 40 floats on parade and this year there is already great interest from community groups wanting to be part of the action.
Miss Carnivale, Katie Brown, will lead the Street Parade this year.
Quicksilver, GBR Helicopters, Raine & Horne, Port Douglas Radio, Soul Song, and Cycle Safety are just some of the groups already signed up, and in the running for the Best Float.
Prize money will be awarded for Best Overall Float ($1000), Best Community Float ($250) and the Best Corporate Float ($250).
There is still time to sign up and register a float to be part of the street parade, which launches the festival on Friday, May 16. Registration forms can be found on the Carnivale website by clicking on “get involved”. Entries close May 8.
Mr Weavers also encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to please come forward. “We need approximately 20 volunteers to help set up on both Thursday and Friday. If everyone can give a little bit of time, it would help immensely,” he said.
For more information on the street parade and volunteering contact Sylvia Healy on 0417 867 268 or email info@carnivale.com.au.
As the program is confirmed the latest information will be updated on www.carnivale.com.au.
ENDS
Interviews:
Roy Weavers, General Manager Port Douglas Carnivale 2014
Mob: 0437 549 110
Publicity: Tanya Snelling, Strategic PR, 0417 202 663
