Australian outback comedy duo The Crackup Sisters will provide plenty of laughs when they join the Cooktown Discovery Festival line-up this year. Photo: Facebook.
An action-packed Cooktown Discovery Festival will bring the community to life this weekend as locals and tourists converge on eastern Cape York to experience the history, adventure and culture of region.
From tiny ballerinas, comedy, music, guided tours and historical re-enactments, there will be something for everyone to enjoy on the program.
Fan favourites, including the annual street parade and the Unfenced Asylum Challenge, are highly anticipated by the local community each year.
Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes offered a few must-see events as the community put the finishing touches on the annual extravaganza.
“The annual street parade is a favourite of mine; it’s always such a joy to see the local kids and adults in their costumes and decorated floats,” Mayor Holmes said.
“I [also] can’t wait to see this year’s Unfenced Asylum Challenge.
“It’s an obstacle course-style event where we’ll see thrills, spills and lots of laughs as teams race to complete the course in the quickest time.”
There are also new shows to look forward to this year, such as performances by outback comedy duo The Crackup Sisters, and horse and hound shows co-ordinated by the Cooktown Horse Sports Association.
Comedian and television personality Brian Nankervis will join the line-up this year to bring the Australian music trivia show RocKwiz to Cooktown.
The festivities will kick off on Thursday afternoon with a guided tour of the Waalmbal Birri Heritage and Culture Centre, the Cooktown School of Art Society’s 45th Annual Art Award soft launch, Cook Shire’s Got Talent, and an eclectic music performance by Karl S Williams.
Not to be missed on Friday will be an adorable performance by the Barefoot Ballerinas at 4pm, the first Crackup Sisters show of the weekend at 4:35pm, and the reconciliation re-enactment at 5:30pm.
Saturday is shaping up as the biggest day of the festival, and will feature the much-anticipated street parade from 12pm, the Cape York Automotive Muster, and several dance and musical performances.
Sunday will feature one of the drawcard events of the festival, Captain Cook’s landing re-enactment at 10am, and RocKwiz with Brian Nankervis at 3:30pm.
To view or download the full program, visit the Cooktown Discovery Festival website.
The annual re-enactment of Captain Cook’s landing is always a Cooktown Discovery Festival Favourite. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
