Entertainment
4 June, 2023
Discover Cooktown’s rich past
New events add more interest to annual historic and community festival
NEW events have been added to Cooktown’s popular Discovery Festival, with Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott happy more community groups are getting involved with the annual event.
The festival, which will be staged from June 16-18, is based on the landing of Captain James Cook, with the reenactment of the moment one of the most popular components of the festival.
“The Cooktown Discovery Festival is a celebration of our community’s rich cultural heritage and the special place Cooktown has in Australian history,” Cr Scott said.
“It is a time for us to come together and celebrate all that makes Cooktown and this region so special,” he said.
This year’s schedule features festival favourites including: the re-enactments of Cook’s Landing – faithfully retold from an Indigenous and nonIndigenous perspective – and the first recorded act of reconciliation, the street parade, Saturday night’s ‘Sunset Soiree’ and fireworks, amusement rides, art and craft workshops and exhibitions, cultural activities, tours and demonstrations, live music and dancing, community markets and the highlyanticipated return of the Cape York Automotive Muster.
New events to the schedule include the Cooktown Little Athletics ‘Big Run’ fun run, a community mural painting at Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery and a bush dance at the shire hall.
“It’s so great to see the groups like Cooktown Little Athletics coming on board to host and organise their own events,” said Cr Scott.
He said the festival weekend attracted record crowds of tourists every year, providing a huge boost to businesses in Cooktown. Last year more than 2000 attended.
“We’d really love to see all the businesses in town getting behind this year’s festival so we’re really encouraging venues to host their own events, activities and entertainment,” Cr Scott said.
“Regulations can make it challenging for council to host certain events and activities, so it’s always wonderful to see local businesses and community groups stepping up and organising their own events,” he said.
For more information, visit the Cooktown Discovery Festival website or contact Cook Shire Council via email to mail@cook.qld.gov.au or by phoning 4082 0500.
Must-see events:
Friday, June 16
• Reconciliation re-enactment
• Official opening and musket firing
• Bush dance.
Saturday, June 17
• Fun run
• Guided tours
• Gold delivery
• Regional street parade
• Cape York Automotive Muster.
Sunday, June 18
• Re-enactment of Cook’s landing
• Colour run
• CWA tea house.
For the full program visit www.cooktowndiscovery.com.au
