The Hinchinbrook Shire celebrates a number of events and festivities throughout the year including rodeos, car shows, markets, school fetes, multicultural festivals, sporting events and fishing tournaments.
The Hinchinbrook Shire Calendar of Events is a complete listing of the region's many festivals, fetes, and events. For further information on attractions, accommodation and special events, phone the Tyto Wetlands Visitor Information Centre on (07) 4776 5211.
AUSTRALIAN ITALIAN FESTIVAL (Annually in May)
The Australian Italian Festival is a symbol of Queensland's cultural diversity. Held annually in the small North Queensland town of Ingham, the festival celebrates the strong Italian heritage of almost 60 percent of the community and recognises the significant contribution that both Italian migrants and their descendants have made - and are continuing to make - to the Australian and North Queensland way of life.
Greasy Pole Competitor
The Festival - whose motto is "Mangiamo, Beviamo and Cantiamo" (Eat, Drink and Celebrate) - runs over three consecutive days in May and is loads of fun for the entire family. Whether you'd like to test your skill in the Spaghetti Eating Challenge or the GreasyPoleClimb, be entertained by the famous Street Procession and Roaming Entertainment, browse the Markets or immerse yourself in talent and style at the "Images of Style" Hair and Fashion Extravaganza or the Festival Fashion Design Awards, there is literally something for everyone.
The Greasy Pole Competition is one of the festival's annual events and one of Italy's most popular novelty games. Envelopes of cash (containing prizes which range from \\\\\\\\\$20 to \\\\\\\\\$100), are attached to the top of a timber power pole coated in slippery Vaseline and competitors take turns to attempt to reach the top (without the aid of anything but their determination) in the hope that they will collect the prize money.
The simple pleasures of food and wine are at the heart of Italian culture and this is certainly no different for the people of Ingham. Take a self-guided stroll through Ingham's main street following your nose and taste buds to some of Ingham's finest restaurants, cafes, delis and eateries. Not forgetting the sumptuous feasts available at the many street stalls during the Festival. Other events such as the Spaghetti Eating Competition, Mamma's Cucinaand The Great Italian Bakeoffpromote some of the district's best recipes, cooks and food lovers through competition, display and sale of delicious Italian style food.
Mamma's Cucina
Of course, the Festival would not be complete without the famous Australian Italian Festival Street Parade.The streets of Ingham come alive in this collection of colourful floats, bikes, go-karts, marching bands and comedy acts - all of which are in the running for a number of special awards and prizes.
The Festival also contains a number of exhibits and displays from that of canecutting demonstrations to a photographic display of the history of education in the district. The Australian Italian Festival provides a chance to immerse yourself in the spectacular Italian culture that makes Ingham such a unique and special town.
One of the many colourful floats that take part in the Street Parade
For more information on the Australian Italian Festival, contact:
Australian Italian Festival Association Inc. PO Box 888 Ingham Qld 4850 18 Herbert Street, Ingham Tel: (07) 4776 5288 Fax: (07) 4776 3048 Email: Website: www.australianitalianfestival.com.au
Ingham Car & Bike Extravaganza (Annually - Last Weekend in May)
The Ingham Car & Bike Extravaganza started in 1995 and is only growing bigger and bigger with each passing year. The car show runs over three consecutive days and is held annually on the last weekend in May. IA wide range of events entertains the whole family. Attractions include North Queensland's biggest Burnout Competition, Show and Shine, Dyno competition, tattoo competition, fashion parades, Miss Extravaganza and the Super Cruise, just to name a few. The car show attracts cars and people from all over Queensland, with up to 300 entrants and 10,000 spectators.
The show wouldn't be complete without the annual Super Cruise through the main streets of Ingham (with police escort). The entire town lines the streets and admires the unique cars that come to the home of North's biggest and best car show. This is a major weekend for the car enthusiast. The quality of cars on show is next to none and many fine trophies are awarded.
For more information on the Ingham Car & Bike Extravaganza, contact:
Ingham Car Show Association Inc. PO Box 1155 Ingham Qld 4850 Tel: (07) 4776 2324 Fax: (07) 4776 2324 Email:
(Photographs courtesy of Davey Rintala)
MARAKA (Annually in October)
Maraka is the Shire's longest running festival and has been held annually over two weeks in October for almost 50 years. The festival is crammed with activities including arts and crafts showcase, Gala Ball, spot-the-window competition, best dressed business house, pet parade, fence-painting, cane-carrying, competitions, orchid display, and cycle races. A procession on the final day sets the scene for the Mardi Gras which features a fireworks display, food stalls, rides and the crowning of the Maraka Queen and is unquestionably the highlight of the entire festival.
Enjoying Maraka Procession - 2006
For more information on the Maraka Festival, contact:
Ingham Maraka Festival Association Inc. P O Box 473 Ingham Ph: 4777 1622 Fax: 4777 1703 e-mail:
