CARNIVALE OPENS WITH LONGEST LUNCH
Port Douglas, 16th May, 2014 – From some of Australia’s greatest cricketers to celebrity chefs and Australian rock gods, the who’s who of Australian television, sport and entertainment will begin to roll into town as Port Douglas Carnivale officially gets underway this Friday, May 16.
Port Douglas Carnivale general manager Roy Weavers said they were expecting in excess of 10,000 people in town over the weekend.
“The opening weekend of Carnivale is always a highlight for visitors, with the Longest Lunch setting the tone for the whole weekend,” he said.
The Sheraton Mirage Longest Lunch has always been a firm favourite for lunchers who love a touch of celebrity glamour with their meals and this year promises to be no different with well-known cricketers such as Darren Lehman (Australian cricket team coach), Allan Border, and Michael Kasprowicz joining the long list of A-Listers before them.
After lunch, all the action can be found in town with the street parade festivities kicking off in Market Park from 5pm.
The street parade will commence at 6.30pm with fireworks scheduled for 9pm. Special guests include the Taipans coach Aaron Fearne, general manager Mark Beecroft and Joe Blake who will join the Radio Port Douglas float for this year’s parade.
On Saturday, May 17 the QT Recovery Party will return while families can head down to Four Mile Beach for some good old fashioned fun at the Family Beach Day.
There will market stalls, beach busking, a Kids Fun Zone and a sky diving display. Don’t miss the start of the Yabusame Tournament at 2pm or the Medieval Jousting at 3.30pm.
Sunday, revellers can catch their breath with a number of events including the Backyard Games, an inaugural event for Port Douglas Carnivale.
Mid-week events include the Exemplar Clipper Cup, which will see more than 25 yachts taking part this year as well as the Port Village Street Art and Music Festival from Monday May 19 through to Saturday, May 24.
Saturday, May 25 will see Rex Smeal Park once again transformed as “Gods of the Galaxy” come together for a night under stars at Food, Wine, and a Taste of Port with Screaming Jets the headline act.
Other highlights include Palates of Port of May 23 and Taste Port Douglas on May 24.
Mr Weavers said there was still time to book tickets to all your favourite events.
“Carnivale has never had such an amazing program of events and while all the action gets underway today, people definitely have time to book tickets to the mid-week and second weekend food events but they had better be quick or risk missing out.”
ENDS
Interviews:
Roy Weavers, General Manager Port Douglas Carnivale 2014
Mob: 0437 549 110
Publicity: Tanya Snelling, Strategic PR, 0417 202 663
MEDIA CALL:
Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 11.30am
Location: Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort
Interviews:
Bob Manning (owner Events NQ)
Allan Border (Australian cricket great)
Julia Leu Douglas Shire Council Mayor
Doug Ryan Executive office Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree
