Biggest Festival program to date drops with 32 events

Dropping today (Friday, April 21), the program contains a mesmerising mix of events and attractions, including a revamped and relaunched Festival Hub.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub would take over the Civic Centre Precinct from July 3 to 9 and feature an array of free live music by local artists, a range of delicious cuisines, a licensed bar with local Red Dog craft brews and two different on-site festival shows.

“Expect late-night laughs and madcap comedy at High Tea with Booff and everything from sword swallowing to daring aerial feats and tap dancing inside the Ukiyo tent with Le Coup,” Mayor Williamson said.

“And that’s just a very small part of the festival,” he said.

“This year, our team have collaborated with event organisers across the region to unite many existing festivals under the Mackay Festival of Arts banner.

“Festivals and events like BE Social Festival, Mack Popcon, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival, Pasifika, the Mackay International Film Festival and the DBI Literary Dinner all help to showcase Mackay as the place to be in July.

“In fact, where else would you rather be!

“Tell your out-of-town friends and family to grab the program, send them the link – it’s all online.

“We want our city to be buzzing and we want residents to help spread that festival fever as far as possible.”

Manager MECC and Events Andrew Bobeldyk said all the festival favourites would be back but with exciting new twists.

“We have some spectacular installations from around the nation to light up Daly Bay Illuminate in Queens Park,” Mr Bobeldyk said.

“The highlight piece will blow people away – it’s a giant artwork featuring 16 inflatable neon dogs, some of which are six metres tall,” he said.

Mr Bobeldyk said there was a new layout for Wisely Wine and Food Day this year with festival goers able to enjoy better VIP experiences and improved views of the main stage.

“We are very excited to announce Conrad Sewell as the headline act on the day along with an electric line-up of talent including Silky Fuzz, The Feels, G Force Music, Karrie Hayward and more.”

The full Mackay Festival of Arts program is now available online.

Hard copy programs are available from the MECC Box Office.