As the curtains close on another Festival Cairns, there is no doubt that in its seventh year, Queensland’s largest regional community celebration has continued on its successful path to present a dynamic program with broad appeal.

With success measured in terms of participation in, and subscription to, events, economic impact and ability to focus attention on the city of Cairns, it is with great disappointment that I have been privy to whisperings that this year’s event may have been the last Festival to be staged in its current format. True or not, I personally think it would be the greatest shame to cut off at the knees what is just hitting its straps.

It is all speculative, but word on the streets has Council seriously considering the prospect of taking management of Festival Cairns in-house. Having been part of the Festival Cairns event management team from the outset in a contractual capacity, I am more aware than most of the huge amount of work and specialized skill involved in bringing an event of this type to fruition. This is an extremely massive task and all the specialists involved are required to go far and beyond the call of duty and funding to ensure Festival Cairns – as an event – reaches all of its many and varied objectives. Does Council have adequate resources to manage this feat and more to the point, will its passion be matched in terms of private sector support?

In 2000, Kevin Byrne returned to office as Mayor of Cairns. And being subject to a never ending stream of event organizers with cap in hand requiring council’s support to ‘make it happen’, he took a rather visionary approach in conceiving the idea of one, big colourful umbrella – under which a quality program of events would fall and in combination, be a more resourceful use of taxpayer’s money while appealing to private sector partnerships.

In 2002 Festival Cairns was born. An event unlike any other in Australia, it successfully delivered the concept of a multi-dimensional program of free and ticketed events spanning music, art, culture, sport and entertainment. This event would take place in spring and roll out over three action-packed weeks – bringing people out and about to enjoy life in the tropics while showcasing the city’s precincts of public enjoyment – be it Cairns Esplanade, Cairns Civic Theatre, The Tanks Arts Centre, CoCA or Cairns Regional Gallery.

In its short history, Festival Cairns has been delivered to the people by the people. That is a combination of Council funding and private sector contributions. While Council has also played an important role overseeing its operation and development –a privately owned event management company, in conjunction with its sponsors and event partners, has put the wheels in motion and brought Festival Cairns to life.

Kevin may not have been perceived as the most culturally aware civic leader, but he did have a vision and judging by the way it has been so readily embraced, was on to a winner.

Over the years it has evolved gradually into a memorable and worthwhile event that somehow manages to talk to the people – be they youth, families, multi-cultural communities -even sporting enthusiasts. And don’t tell me sport is not part of Australia’s entertainment culture.

And while I hear some ‘powers that be’ regarding Festival Cairns as unsophisticated, too long and too diverse, I wonder just what the alternatives are – should the current format be revised?

What I am hearing may just be propaganda and heresay, I certainly hope so. But if not, and there is an element of truth to the rumours, I would say to the latest visionaries, proceed with caution.

Testament to the success of Festival Cairns is its acceptance and support by the corporate sector and community. It is no good having a dream or vision if nobody can share it.

For the past seven years, Pacific Toyota has maintained its contribution and position as presenting partner and is joined by a whole host of others who have been on board from the word go. Without them, Festival Cairns would not exist.

If by chance Festival Cairns is to be reborn – finger’s crossed it doesn’t lose its everyman, everyday, family appeal and become a series of niche events chosen by cultural sophisticates for cultural sophisticates. Remember if you narrow the appeal to the public you’ll have the same effect on the sponsors.

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Pip Miller

Publicity
Pip Miller PR
Ph: (07) 4032 4400
Mob: 0419 681 543
Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Internet: www.festivalcairns.com.au

MEDIA INFORMATION Friday 21 November, 2008

FESTIVAL CAIRNS MAKES THE GRADE AS A COMMUNITY EVENT & TOURISM DRAWCARD

At a time when its future is under close scrutiny, Festival Cairns being named Finalist in the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards endorses its viability as the city’s most significant community event.

Last weekend the state’s peak tourism authority, Tourism Queensland, awarded Festival Cairns a coveted finalist position in the Festival and Events category of its annual awards held at Brisbane Convention Centre.

As one of the runners up to winner, 60th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, Festival Cairns showed its true potential as a tourism drawcard.

Festival Cairns is considered the state’s largest regional community event and one of Australia’s fastest growing events. The annual program takes place in August and September spanning three weeks and rolling out a diverse program of 40 plus ticketed and free of charge events.

“We have come a long way in just seven years and it shows when you receive recognition like this from industry peers. To make the finalist grade is pleasing in itself and an achievement for everyone – from event partners and sponsors to our hardworking team pulling it all together,” said Festival Cairns operations manager, Narell Black.

With success measured in terms of participation in, and subscription to, events, economic impact and ability to focus attention on the city of Cairns, Mrs Black does not feel Festival Cairns is in need of a radical change.

“In 2007 and 2008 Festival Cairns economic impact was in excess of $20 million. Not to mention attracting some 30,000 residents and visitors to the Parade of Lights or the overall event attendance figures nearing 200,000. These statistics are remarkable and just go to show what a great event Festival Cairns is – not only in the way it can focus attention on our beautiful city, but the opportunity it provides for our locals and visitors alike to celebrate all the great things about life in the far north,” she said.

At this stage Festival Cairns 09 is slated to take place between August 29 and September 19, 2009. This will be its eighth annual event.
For further information contact Narell Black on mob: 0433 078 830. For general information: website www.festivalcairns.com.au or phone EventsCairns on 07 4051 0222 or email info@festivalcairns.com.au
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On Friday afternoon, Cairns Regional Council hosted a lovely afternoon tea ceremony to present the award winners of this year’s Parade of Lights. Mayor of Cairns Regional Council, Val Schier was pleased to perform the honours and presented the following:

Third place: Ms Elvis and the crew from the Barrier Reef Rockers
Second place: James Jones, Birch Carroll and Coyle representing the 4CAFM/BCC Madagaskar float
First place: Balloons Etc – Natalie broke from a busy schedule to accept the Mayor’s Trophy that dates back to the first Parade winner in 1967.

Balloons Etc has now won all three places in the past seven years of Festival Cairns Parade of Lights. She was elated and commented that it was really great fun.

Narell Black also took the opportunity to speak at the afternoon tea and said it was the people who participate who make Festival Cairns the successful spectacle it is today. A gathering of no less than around 30,000 turned out in force for the finale highlight on Saturday 20 September.

Click on link for full press release.

Publicity
Pip Miller PR
Ph: (07) 4032 4400
Mob: 0419 681 543
Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Internet: www.festivalcairns.com.au

MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 23 September, 2008

PARADE WINNERS ARE WELL DESERVED GRINNERS

Festival Cairns may be over for another year, but there are still a few important jobs to be done. Announcing the winners of RACQ Insurance’s Parade of Lights and presenting their hard-won prizes is just one of many tasks – albeit a very important one.

The winning floats in Festival Cairns’ finale highlight, the RACQ Insurance Parade of Lights, is always hotly contested. This year was no exception with the winners as follows:
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As overall winner, Balloons Etc receives $3000, in second place Birch Carroll and Coyle and 4CA won $1500 and in third place, Barrier Reef Rockers’s Elvis themed float stole the judges hearts to take home $750.

High commendations were awarded equally to TAFE and the Philippine community floats with the school group award going to Woree State High School and Cook Island Dancers.

In other awards, Best Band was won by RSL’s Pipe Band – hotly contested by Trinity Bay High School and Woree State High School who were also out in force.

“We really appreciate the schools participation in particular – turning up when school holidays had already started and all the teachers involved are the true champions.

“We were absolutely delighted with the high standard and level of community participation for this year’s parade that was sponsored for the second time by RACQ Insurance,” said Mrs Black.

RACQ Insurance’s Parade of Lights was held on Saturday 20 September providing a great spectacle and community showcase to a crowd of 30,000 locals and visitors who lined the esplanade to watch the procession of some 55 different floats, and participation by 1500 people.

The RACQ Insurance Parade of Lights has a rich and colourful history stemming back to 1967 and the days of Fun in the Sun when Cairns enjoyed its first procession down the esplanade to celebrate the city and its lifestyle. It has been 41 years since the inaugural parade and in 2008 proved as popular as ever.
For further information: website www.festivalcairns.com.au or phone EventsCairns on 07 4051 0222 or email info@festivalcairns.com.au

THE BUSINESS of SPREADING FESTIVAL LOVE

Lorraine Devine is over the moon this morning – and quite rightly so – for the second year running, her creativity and enthusiasm for Festival Cairns has ‘bagged’ first prize in Festival Cairns’ Dress Up Your Business campaign.

Lorraine and her husband John take home the $500 cash prize for their Aplin Street business, Devine Gelato.

“I am just so excited. I love Cairns and I love the festival,” said a delighted Lorraine on hearing the news.

“This year I went all out – over and above last year – with a music display, Japanese display, local produce display and a whole wall dedicated to my love of Cairns. We even introduced a special ice-cream called Festival Fusion – a combination of mango, pineapple, coconut and lemon. It has been so popular our customers have asked for it to be kept on the menu – but I think we will keep it for Festival Cairns,” she said.

Originally from Adelaide, Mr and Mrs Devine have lived in and loved Cairns for the past four years and have just celebrated two years for their ice-cream and gelato business.

And what will she do with her prize money? “I think I will have to give it to my husband to re-paint the walls I have decorated in Festival Cairns. But never fear, it’s a joy to be involved and next year we’re going for a hat trick.”

Lorraine Devine can be contacted during shop hours (midday to 10pm) on tel: 4041 4959.

2008 Winners of Dress Up Your Business as follows:

• 1st – place Devine Gelato – Cnr Abbott and Aplin Stret (next to Outback Jacks)
• 2nd – Shoetopia – Woodward St, Edge Hill
• 3rd – The Coffee Club – The Esplanade

Honorable Mentions for:

• All-Star Dry Cleaners – Anderson Street
• Mediapower – Shields Street
• The Capta Group

Background Information:
Following the success of last year’s Dress Up Your Business Campaign, Pacific Toyota once again gave local businesses the chance to dress up their premises and be in the running to win great prizes.

Festival Cairns Operations Manager, Narell Black said the response exceeded all expectation with the “Love Cairns, Love the Environment” theme being embraced by over 30 businesses and as such, is omnipresent throughout the city.

Judging is taking place today and the winners will be announced tomorrow.

To help businesses on their way, every organisation that registered received a starter pack containing five festival icons which include leaping fish, twirling rainbows, green palm fronds, butterflies and love hearts.

The kits were available to all participating businesses, free-of-charge following registration. And there are some great prizes up for grabs:

First Prize: $500 cash plus Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Package, an advertising package in The Cairns Post and a feature on WIN Local News (weather)

Second Prize: Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Package

Third Prize: Birch Carroll and Coyle Movie Package

All prize winners will also receive tickets to the Festival Cairns VIP Finale event on Saturday 20 September 2008.

Festival Cairns 2008 will run from Wednesday 27 August to Saturday 20 September, 2008.

For further information about Festival Cairns 2008, click on www.festivalcairns.com.au or contact management company, Events Cairns on tel: 07 4051 0222 / email: info@eventscairns.com

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For all publicity enquiries, contact:

Pip Miller
Pip Miller PR
Ph: (07) 4032 4400
Mob: 0419 681 543
Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Internet: www.festivalcairns.com.au

Winners of Dress Up Your Business announced – Devine Gelato wins second time running.
RACQ Parade of Lights will get underway from 6pm tomorrow night – 60 floats, 1500 participants.
Wanted Urgently – people to carry lanterns in parade….assemble from 5pm – contact Pip Miller 0419 681543
Festival Cairns broadcast live this morning on Guam Breakfast Radio Show
Festival Cairns broadcast on David & Kim Morning Show on Network TEN
Busk-off at Esplanade for Amateurs between 4pm and 6pm today….internationals from 12 noon at City Place and Esplanade
Social Opportunities
Today from 12 noon at Harbourlights Wine and Dine Lunch – 130 attending….on the boardwalk – showcasing food from Olano’s Ristorante e Bar, Dundees on the Waterfront and Cafe Lumiere.
Tomorrow from 6pm at VIP Finale Party – enclosure opposite Coast Roast from 6pm to 9pm.