Entertainment
3 February, 2024
Festival ‘whopping’ success
THE 2023 Cairns Festival has set a record attendance of about 140,000 people and generated nearly $2 million.
A Cairns Regional Council report said the program delivered 210 performances, featuring 776 performers and artists, of which about 77 per cent were local.
It said most of the money was spent by 6047 interstate visitors on accommodation, food and drink ($1.8m).
The report said the festival “once again showcased a diverse and successful array of events with the highest ever audience attendance”.
“The Cairns Festival programming team maintains a strong focus on creating a curated program whilst building partnerships with major and emerging local talent, state performing arts organisations and touring companies,” it said.
“This year’s festival also provided outstanding opportunities for local artists and performers. The 2023 program featured music, physical theatre, comedy, roving performances, puppetry, high end projection and laser work, dance, film, cabaret, multimedia installations and visual arts, activating venues in the city and throughout the region.
“The programming team committed to the festival vision of delivering a vibrant, progressive and collaborative arts and cultural festival that reflects the region’s unique stories and celebrates the distinctive colours and hues of our tropical lifestyle.
“Furthermore, to ensure Cairns Festival is accessible to audiences across the region, there was a continued focus on programming free events. In 2023, 91 per cent of the 210 performances were free to public.
“Cairns Festival’s success each year is dependent upon ongoing engagement from the Cairns community.
“From people participating in activities, to volunteering and attending as audiences, the unique energy and feel of our distinctly ‘Cairns’ festival comes from this.
“As such, the team would like to thank the community for another safe and successful Cairns Festival.”
Cr Kristy Valley told the December 21 council meeting it was “an amazing event”.
She described it as a “whopping event” despite no grand parade, because of the weather, and thanked all those involved in its organisation.
Carnival on Collins was the most popular event on the program with an estimated audience of 27,000 people. Other popular events were Reef Lights: Where the Rainforest Meets the Reef light and the laser installation at the Esplanade Lagoon (25,000).
