Flinders Shire Council will host the inaugural Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies
when it takes centre stage in the north-west Queensland outback town in April next year.
The new 28-30 April festival will feature an array of live music, workshops, markets, food and art, as well as a bull ride and other entertainment over the long weekend.
Flinders Shire Council Mayor Jane McNamara said Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies is an exciting newcomer on the Outback Festivals calendar.
“We’re delighted to be able to host this milestone event for not only our local community, but for visitors from across Queensland and Australia,” Cr McNamara said.
“It’s a new and innovative festival for the Shire, and we’re kicking it off with an event to remember.
“The festival celebrates the lifestyle and interests of our rural community and the opportunity to create and participate in events to be held under our big open outback skies will be endless.”
The festival will be held across two precincts in Hughenden – the town’s oldest asset in the local Showgrounds, and the newest asset in Hughenden Recreational Lake, both linked by an art trail running past the historic coolabah tree.
The schedule for the festival includes:
Friday 28 April – Bull ride and live music
Saturday 29 April – Raft race, artesian markets and makers workshops, and Dinner under the Stars
Sunday 30 April – Lakeside fun, lantern parade, star gazing and much more!
The festival website is now live, with ticket sales available from January. Package tours will run from Townsville, which will include accommodation and Dinner under the Stars.
“Over the coming weeks and months we will be getting the community involved in making lanterns, arts and crafts for a special event to be held on the Sunday night,” said Cr McNamara.
“We're also looking for musicians, artists, craft makers and food vendors, so get in touch and get involved in this amazing new event on our calendar.”
If you would like to be involved, contact the Council events team on (07) 4741 2900 or email flinders@flinders.qld.gov.au
In past years, Hughenden celebrated the Dinosaur Festival, which was community run and held over a period of up to 10 days.
“We are very appreciative of the input from some of these wonderful volunteers who ran Hughenden festivals in the past,” said Cr McNamara.
For more information on the new Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies, visit the festival website at https://festivalofoutbackskies.com.au, or like/follow the festival on social media:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/hughendenfestival
Instagram – www.instagram.com/festivalofoutbackskies