Entertainment
26 March, 2023
New events for festival
NEW events have been added to Cook-town’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 16-18 June, is based on the landing of Captain James Cook, with the re-enactment of the moment one of the most popular com-ponents 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. It is a time for us to come together and celebrate all that makes Cooktown and this region so special,” Mayor Scott said.
This year’s schedule features festival favourites including: the re-enactments of Cook’s Landing – faithfully retold from an Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspective – and the first recorded act of Reconcilia-tion; the Street Parade; Saturday night Sun-set Soiree and fireworks; amusement rides; art and craft workshops and exhibitions; cultural activities, tours and demonstrations; live music and dancing; community mar-kets and, the highly-anticipated 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,” Mayor Scott said, adding that the festival weekend attracts record crowds of tourists every year, providing a huge boost to businesses in Cooktown.
“We’d really love to see all the business-es in town getting behind this year’s festival so we’re really encouraging venues to host their own events, activities and entertain-ment.
“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.
“What’s good for small businesses is great for our community.”
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.
