The inaugural  Cassowary Festival has been hailed as a huge success by the Mission Beach community.  The Drumming of Cassowaries parade was a big hit with giant colourful cassowary sculptures, Cassowary Wardens carrying signs the  school kids designed  to help cassowaries cross roads safely and members of the  local Belly dancers group dressing in bright red black and blue costumes touring through the Mission Beach village before being  paraded  through the festival to the entertainment marquee.  Mission Beach was abuzz with businesses reporting a good day with all the extra visitors in town. "I have never seen so many cars  lining the  road" commented one long time local.

Throughout the day, a constant crowd visited the large marquee where information was shared by representatives of local environment and wildlife groups at their displays. The regular market stall holders  enjoyed  getting into the  'spirit' of the event with creative ideas  and interpretations representing the Cassowary. Visitors  enjoyed non stop entertainment on the stage from talented local musicians and  listened to messages sent from politicians and celebrities during the 'Thank You' ceremony which included Peter Garrett and the Threatened Species Commissioner.  The MC  was  kept busy with Open Mic as community members eagerly participated  on the stage. Children had a great time creating  art and crafts all day long at the Stripeys tent.
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Steering committee member Liz Gallie said "It was a fun family event with the strong message for the day that the cassowary is not only important for the environment but also to our community and economy. "We encourage visitors to come to Mission Beach for a slow down time. Stay a little longer, relax and experience Mission Beach - naturally". 

A big part of the success  was the collaboration, diversity and expertise of the community groups represented on the steering committee and  sponsoring the event.  Next years event is already in the planning. "We want to make the Mission Beach Community Cassowary Festival an annual event" commented Liz, "reinforcing Mission Beach with a strong identity as the Cassowary Capital. Visitors come to Mission Beach to enjoy the natural beauty with the cassowary as a major draw card.  We will be looking at expanding the events to be held over a week to allow more businesses to participate in the festivities".

People traveled from around the region to help celebrate the day with one couple from the Gold Coast visiting for several days especially for the festival.

We would like to extend the warmest thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors who did not hesitate to offer their  support for this  exciting new community festival event celebrating our regions icon the cassowary and our spectacular natural  environment.
 
Some of the feedback we received.

 "Thank you so much for a wonderful day on sunday!!! We had such a fun day! The community spirit in Mission is inspiring and so is your passion to help the magnificent Cassowaries!! The kids all did such an awesome job with their crafts, loved seeing all the signs around! Thank you Liz and all the team for all the hard work you put in for the festival and for all the wonderful work you do! My colleagues thought I was mad taking the day off and driving 300km to come to the cassowary festival but I loved it and wouldn't have missed it!!" 😃😃Emily Silverstone


"What a fabulous day for the creative children of Mission Beach. Leading up to today's Cassowary Festival the kids have been tutored by local artists Sally Moroney and Jan Davies each week at Ninney Rise. The drumming of the cassowaries paraded from the Village Green to the cassowary tent at the markets this morning". Mission Beach Community Arts Centre added 17 new photos.

 "Congrats to the organisers on a fantastic event...was great to see so many people out and about. The cassowary sculptures for the parade were stunning. Well done! Lisa Delany

 "So much fun creating these beauties ... thank you EVERYONE involved in creating this.Candice Thorley;

 "Wonderful day - gorgeous artwork, great music and dance in the parade". Margaret Ellen Flaherty

"Thanks Liz, 
What an awesome day!
I am definitely looking forward to next year"! 
Lis
Advocate, Innisfail <advocate@innisfailadvocate.com.au> (sent by elisabeth.champion2@news.com.au) Jun 8


"Awesome effort! Please contact me if you have anything else happening down there", 
Regards,
Mick
Editor - Cassowary Coast Independent News <editor@ccin.com.au> Jun 7

 "Amazing photos! Looks like so much fun. Can't wait for next year". Jane Coward

 "Every festival organiser can learn from the way Mission does things". John Felan (Palm Cove)

 "Well done Mission Beach keep it up" !! Terry Goldsworthy (Tasmania)
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 "Gotta get up there soon" Adam Rowley Jenny Steel. (Northern Territory)

"WHAT A MOST FANTASTIC DAY!
The Mission Beach Cassowary Festival was excellent.
We made lots of new forest friends, sold lots of prize draw tickets, found lots ...of beardson.org contenders and most importantly, had lots of fun". Brettacorp

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