The annual multicultural Childers Festival was celebrated from the 25th – 28th of July 2024. Known as the festival that stops the highway because the town literally closes the highway, redirecting traffic around the event.
An impressive 8,000 people were set to attend the 4 day festival.
The events kicked off on Thursday evening with a Twilight Market full of the regions small businesses, followed by Historical Bus Tours around Childers, and the infamous sugar mill & cane fire tour. Friday night was movie night at the Paragon theatre and opera by the lake, with fireworks display.
Sugar Cane Tour
The Childers Rotary organised the annual Sugar Mill & Cane Fire Tour, allowing participants to get on a working sugar cane train, taste raw sugar cane, watch the cane fire and enjoyed a nice BBQ.
Over 150 people attended, with some additional locals who managed to capture the sight as they drove home from work.
And what a spectacle it was. The quick burning cane went up without a hitch and the crackle of the cane an exceptionally loud sound. The air scented in sweetness, it was a beautiful introduction to the Childers Festival for all attendees.
Bollywood Night
Saurday though overcast and cool, was warmed with an array of colours as we welcomed a bollywood themed evening with a variety of food stalls and traditional bollywood performers that spiced up everyone’s night. As the smell of samosas and curry drifted in the air, attendees were transported to india with all their senses. The Masala Bollywood Dance Group encouraged those able to stand up and learn some traditional bollywood dance moves. And in 20 minutes, an impressive group of 40+ people (men, women, children and elders) had learnt and could dance the night away bollywood style.
Visitors of the region were said to be overwhelmed by the pride of the community.
There were certainly an enormous range of local clubs, groups, businesses and volunteers that work hard to put on the annual festival, in order to welcome visitors and display their love for the historical town of Childers.
Festival Day
Sunday the 28th, saw thousands flock to Childers. We saw an incredible amount of talent perform, improvise and once again impress the spectators. Food vans and marquees lined the main street, offering delicous treats and special goodies. We saw our favourite Latin dancers return and hungry people lining up for meters to get their hands on some multicultural delicacies.
Unfortunatly one can’t be in 2 places at once, sometimes we wish we could. For photos on the Opera by the lake, Paragon Movie night, and all other events from the festival, go to the Childers Festival Facebook page for more photos from the 4 day multicultural weekend.
https://www.facebook.com/ChildersFestival
See you at the next …
‘Festival that stops the highway’
