Daly Bay Illuminate returns and will shine bright next week

This amazing family-friendly event is back next week and will shine as bright as ever.

Queens Park will come alive with giant interactive dogs, exotic UV florals, neon sea creatures and so much more from next Thursday, October 5, to Sunday, October 8.

Better still, entry to this all-ages, illuminated wonderland is completely free.

It will run from 6pm to 9pm each night.

Mayor Greg Williamson congratulated the MECC and Mackay Festivals team on delivering the event in its intended format after the postponement.

“Daly Bay Illuminate has traditionally been the most attended event of the Mackay Festival of Arts calendar – it’s huge and there are so many moving parts, including massive installations brought in from around the country,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Hats off to the team for bringing everything together for a second time and ensuring our community can still enjoy this event,” he said.

“It’s an amazing drawcard experience that is the perfect night out for families – they can stroll through the installations, take some fantastic photographs and relax on a picnic rug after grabbing a bite to eat from one of the food vendors onsite.”

Mayor Williamson said this year’s massive drawcard installation was the Lost Dogs’ Disco by ENESS.

“This is an immersive installation of 16 dogs, some up to 5.5m tall,” he said.

“There are four distinct characters, inspired by three dog breeds – poodles, bull terriers and dachshunds – that are curled-up, standing and even touching noses,” he said.

“As visitors journey through the colourful pack, the dogs’ coats light up, their eyes blink and they greet passers-by with happy grunts to celebrate each new person’s arrival.

“This an amazing installation that will be a huge hit with families and will act as a centrepiece for this tremendous event.”

Festivals and Events Coordinator Sarah Porter said another highlight of Daly Bay Illuminate would be Oasis by Indirect Object.

“Oasis is a glowing display of organic-shaped artworks that are crafted from consumer waste,” Ms Porter said.

“Each artwork has been handcrafted in extreme detail, with more than 100 PET bottles creating each flower,” she said.

“Neon Marine Park by Carla O’Brian is also beautiful and will make a big splash with the kids.

“It features a cluster of colourful sea creatures found in Australian waters and will make for some great photos.”

Ms Porter said a dedicated team of local artists had spearheaded the construction of an assortment of artwork that will be displayed in three large and unique community installations.

She said one installation represented the view of a bee and was filled completely with UV-enhanced florals and buzzing bees.

“Lalune Croker, Tracey Johnson, Cheb Jeffery, Lisa Roebig Holmes and Wanda Bennett delivered workshops in and around the Mackay region during the months of June and July.

“In total, 300 community members and school students of all ages and abilities participated in the workshops to ensure local residents had the opportunity to create works to be part of the displays,” she said.

“The talented MECC lighting team will bring the community installations and the natural landscapes of Queens Park to life with expertly installed lighting arrays.”

Daly Bay Illuminate is an alcohol-free event and the Festivals team recommends bringing some mosquito spray and a picnic blanket if you decided to dine out for the evening.

Entry to the event will be via the corner of East Gordon Street and Goldsmith Street and on Goldsmith Street.

For more information and updates, follow Mackay Festivals on Facebook.

This event has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts Festivals Australia Program.