Festival brings out the cassowary in everyone

Media Release  14 May 2017

You’re sure to see plenty of cassowaries at the Community Cassowary Festival at Mission Beach on Sunday 4 June.

“There’ll be fancy dress competitions, art displays, cassowary chocolates and even a flying cassowary!” said festival committee member Liz Gallie. “A beachside marquee and stage will host nature displays, guest speakers, live music and a community open mic giving the public an opportunity to join the stage and perform their best cassowary imitation, song, dance or ....whatever!!”

Over the weekend, local businesses will be competing for the best dressed shop front. Meanwhile, local kids and adults are creating life size cassowary sculptures for the Drumming of Cassowaries parade to open and close the festival.
 
“Mission Beach state school students are currently designing temporary roadside signs promoting cassowary awareness for people driving to the festival” said Terrain’s Tony O’Malley. Transport and Main Roads have given Terrain special permission to install the signs on local main roads during the festival.

"Everyone is invited to take part in the fun and creativity celebrating nature and we are excited to see so many great ideas come out of the community" said Liz Gallie. "It will be lots of fun. Mission Beach has a very creative and resourceful community that is passionate about cassowaries".
 
A big audience is expected with the date being the beginning of the tourist season.  The festival aims to further Mission Beach’s reputation as a national and international tourism destination where the community helps protect cassowaries and the exceptional natural environment. Organisers hope the festival will become an annual event with benefits for the local arts and business community.

“The community is excited to share a unique place in celebration of the cassowary and nature” said Mission Beach Tourism’s Evelyn Swarbrick, “We ask visitors to please slow down and enjoy your time here, naturally. Leave only footprints and build memories to last a lifetime.”
 
The festival is being held on Sunday 4 June in conjunction with the beach side Rotary village markets with extra stalls towards the beach. 

If you’d like to share an idea or have a display or activity, please contact the organisers at cassowaryfestival@gmail.com

 
Festival details are available on the festival facebook page.


ENDS

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For more information contact;
Cassowary festival Steering Committee members;
 
Evelyn Swarbrick
Manager, Mission Beach Business & Tourism
Ph: 0428 431 135
 
Liz Gallie
President, Mission Beach Cassowaries Inc
0414 402315
 
Peter Rowles
President C4
0429179152
 
Tony O’Malley
Community Partnerships, Terrain NRM
Ph 0437 728 190

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