Entertainment
9 August, 2025
Gala Ball glamour meets the wild west
IT’S time to frock up for a fantastic night of food, fun, live music, and dancing at the glamorous Maize Festival Gala Ball at the Yungaburra Community Hall next Saturday.
In keeping with this year’s festival theme, guests are encouraged to dress with a little Wild West flair, from cowboy boots to country-inspired evening wear.
A highlight of the social calendar, the Ball is an opportunity to meet the Queen and Princess entrants who are raising funds for local charities and are proudly sponsored by local businesses.
The evening begins with a saloon-style cocktail hour, complete with charcuterie and finger food, a dinner served up by Khans Curry Catering, homemade dessert made by community volunteers, and a lively auction with funds raised helping the upcoming Street Parade, and supporting the Maize Queens and Princesses.
Live music from Careless will keep patrons dancing until midnight and a shuttle bus service will be available between surrounding villages and towns.
This year’s Maize Festival got off to an elegant start with the High Tea held on Sunday at the Atherton Clay Target Club, at which the most cherished tradition - the official introduction of the new Maize Queens and Princesses entrants - was celebrated.
The festival will reach its peak with the Maize Festival Main Street Parade on Saturday, 30 August. Expect colourful floats, creative costumes, marching bands, and plenty of Wild West spirit.
The annual Tug ‘o’ War will also be held on the day, and the shop window displays will be judged.
Generations of families have been enjoying the Maize Festival for more than 60 years.
It began in 1962, when the Atherton Branch of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade held the first-ever Maize Festival to raise funds in the local Atherton Tablelands community and celebrate the annual maize harvest.
Today, the Maize Festival is run by an independent voluntary committee of dedicated community members. The focus continues to be on raising funds for important local charities and causes.
The Maize Festival Ball will be held at the Yungaburra Community Hall, 19 Cedar St, from 6pm until midnight next Saturday.
For more information on events, to lodge a parade spot, or to buy tickets visit https://www.maizefestival.org.au or visit the Atherton Maize Festival Facebook page and click on the link to purchase tickets.
