CARNIVALE ENDS ON HIGH WITH STRONG ATTENDANCE
Port Douglas, 26th May, 2014 – Port Douglas Carnivale has drawn a crowd of around 25,000 people over the 10 days as it came to a close yesterday, May 25.
With a stunning fireworks display to wrap up the festivities at the Seafood Extravaganza and a crowd of around 3000 people, Port Douglas Carnivale general manager Roy Weavers said both new and old events had been well received with record numbers at some events.
“It has been 10 fantastic days of highlights from the Yabusame on the beach, to the the inaugural backyard games.
“The Port Village Street Art and Music Festival also blew me away given the level of talent that is in this region and we were pleased to announce Te Ketu as the winner at Saturday’s final with The Kroovs taking second place and Benny and The Clones taking out third.”
Mr Weavers said food events including the Sheraton Mirage Longest Lunch, Palates of Port, Taste Port Douglas, Food, Wine & A Taste of Port and the Seafood Extravaganza underlined the quality of produce available in North Queensland and the innovative abilities of a number of local chefs.
“I feel very privileged to have been involved in Carnivale in what has been my first year. We have seen so many celebrities over the course of the festival from TV’s hottest celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge to Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) and finally the Screaming Jets.
“These celebrities have all loved being in Port Douglas and have certainly added a lot of colour to our different events.
“On behalf of the many people who have been involved in Carnivale, they have all done so well and I am very proud of the team and what we have produced.”
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Doug Ryan said the stimulus of 25,000 people in town 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 not only in Australia but also internationally.
“Once again we have had a strong contingent of visitation from Cairns and Townsville as well as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. We see a lot of people return year after year for their favourite events.”
Other celebrities that were in town included one of the US’ highest paid basketballers Dwight Howard, who has a US$20 million contract to play with the Houston Rockets in the NBA, as well as Chris “Buddha” Handy, who was visiting with Queensland Weekender who were shooting in the region for five days.
ENDS
Roy Weavers, general manager Port Douglas Carnivale
Mob: 0437 549 110
Publicity: Tanya Snelling, Strategic PR Mob: 0417 202 663
