Cairns Amateurs Carnival will celebrate its 60th annual spring racing meet with a diamond-studded event combining three action-filled days of fun, fashion and racing from Thursday 6 September to Saturday 8 September.
Organisers of Cairns Amateurs Carnival’s diamond jubilee celebration are touting this year’s program one of its biggest yet and anticipate drawing even larger than usual numbers of racegoers which tallied 16,800 racegoers in 2017.
Minister for Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said the Cairns Amateurs Carnival was a premier event in Tropical North Queensland.
“Now in its 60th year, the Cairns Amateurs Carnival is an iconic event which offers fun, fashion, glamour, food and entertainment built around two days of horse racing each year,” Ms Jones said.
“Regional events such as this play an important role in driving visitation to the region and supporting local jobs.
“Visitors can stay on after the event to enjoy some of the region’s many experiences, including Queensland’s greatest natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef.
“The Palaszczuk Government supports this event through Tourism and Event’s Queensland’s Destination Event Program.”
Carnival CEO Graham Thornton said this year’s program marks six decades of Far North Queensland’s pinnacle social event while setting the Carnival in good stead for a long and positive future.
“In 2018 we are continuing with our destination themed pitch, “Racing on the Great Barrier Reef” that positions Cairns Amateurs as a tourism drawcard while integrating the traditional favourites of ladies fashion high tea, black tie ball and President’s cocktail party, albeit in 60th anniversary style.”
Mr Thornton said they have upped the glitz and glamour stakes for this year’s event with unexpected treats and surprises.
“On a purely local level, we are continuing to focus on imbibing Cairns Amateurs Carnival with a rich and colourful community thread by aligning the event with likeminded organisations and charities.
“This year we are proudly supporting local cancer charity COUCH in the construction of its health wellness centre with proceeds from both high tea and ball ticket sales directly benefiting this worthy cause founded by one of our most passionate former members, Charles Woodward and family.
“On a sustainable front, we continue our alliance with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef while introducing a plastic straw free carnival in line with the locally devised Straw No Morecampaign.”
Following the success of last year’s venue change for key satellite events, both high tea and ball events will be held on the city’s picturesque waterfront that is wholly supported by Cairns Regional Council.
“Cairns Esplanade is a vibrant and bustling public space as popular among locals as it is with visitors wanting to experience the idyllic lifestyle.”
This year’s track side program once again provides extensive choice for all budgets and sensibilities aimed at providing the ultimate two-day racing experience equally suited to corporate entertaining or socialising with family and friends.
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