Cairns Events Let's Do This

This years massive market day at the 2018 Cardwel UFO Festival will be held along the beautiful Cardwell Foreshore. Join us for great food, fabulous coffee, amazing stalls, live entertainment all day on the main stage and we will have a wine and beer bar also.

This year the UFO Festival is back on the picturesque Cardwell Foreshore and promises to be better than ever.

• Observation Car Rally – Sat 10:00am to 2:00pm

Get in, buckle up and get ready for a heap of fun in the UFO Observation Car Rally. Follow the clues and answer the questions to complete this fun course that take you to a myriad of locations around town where you can enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of Cardwell. Entry is $25 per car and starts at the Cardwell RSL between 10.00am – 2.00pm. For more information contact Dick Edwards on 0438 298 682

• Alien Invasion party - on the foreshore 5:00pm to 12:00pm

The Alien Invasion Party is on again and this year it’s back on the beautiful Cardwell foreshore. With live music, bar, food and heaps of activities for the kids it promises to be a heap of fun for all the guys, gals and aliens attending this year’s festival.

• Star Bar - Sat 5:00pm to 11:30pm

Fancy having a drink with Darth Vader, Mulder & Scully or even a Grey Alien… anything is possible at The Star Bar. Grab a drink and relax or even dance the night away, you never know who you’ll bump in to. With a great selection of beer, wine and spirits entry is only $3.00 for adults.

• Live music by band Zachariah 7pm to 12pm

Enjoy the down-to-earth music of the popular band Zacariah at the Alien Invasion Party with lead guitarist Des Mizzi, bassist Greg Armbrust, lead vocalist and guitarist Paul Pappas and guitarist and vocalist Brad Mizzi. Festival party-goers can dance the night away to a repertoire of rock classics from the 70s through to the present day with songs from bands like AC/DC, Deep Purple, Kiss, Pink Floyd, The Angels, ZZ Top, The Rolling Stones, Metallica and INXS, along with more recent hits by Daft Punk, The Black Keys and Pharrell Williams.

• Food vendors – Sat 5:00pm to 11:30pm

All your earthly favourites, like burgers, hot chips, hot dogs, Asian food and pizzas will be available from early in the day to late in the evening. There will also be ice cream, coffee, chilled drinks and snacks.

• Judging of Shop front contest – Sat 5:00pm

To help the town get into the spirit of the festival shop owners will be trying to out do each other with some amazing window displays. Join us as we choose the best dressed shops and give away some great prizes.

• Judging of costumes junior division – Sat 5:30pm

Kids love dressing up and what better event than a UFO festival to bring the best out of our young costume makers. There have been some great costumes in the past and we’re sure this year will be no different. Join us to give away some great prizes for the best dressed Girl and Boy categories.

• Milky Way Lantern Parade – Sat 6:00pm

A new event at the festival this year is the Milky Way Lantern Parade. Lets see just how far the boundaries of creativity are pushed when you ask a group of people to create UFO themed lanterns. We are certain of some out of this world results.

• Winners of Observation rally announced - Sat 6:30pm

Completing the morning car rally was only half the fun, now we get to find out who the winners are. Get ready for some more fantastic prize giveaways.

• Judging of costumes adult division – Sat 8:30pm

As if dressing up as your favourite alien wasn’t fun enough, this is the part of the evening where the best dressed get to win some prizes. With giveaways for best dressed Adult male, Adult female.

• FREE Courtesy Taxi Ride Home – Sat FROM 8:00pm

The local taxi will be running courtesy rides for the Alien Invasion Party goers to get them home safe from 8pm onwards. (Free drop off to homes in Cardwell)
There will be a single run to the north of Cardwell in the Kennedy/Carruchan area (time TBA) and a single run south or Cardwell to Stoney Creek/Five Mile area (time TBA)
The TAXI will also be available throughout the day for fare paying patrons.

• Space Race Scavenger Hunt throughout the Foreshore (treasure hunt event) 9am

Heres an adventure for the kids of galactic proportions. The Space Race Scavenger Hunt is a treasure hunt around the festival where kids use the clues on their Space Race treasure maps to find the answers to some fun and informative questions. Treasure maps are available from the Imnformation Tent on the day and every kid wins a prize.

• Monster Market Day – Sun 9:00am to 3:00pm

The grounds on the Cardwell Foreshore will be a hive of activity at the Monster Markets starting at 9.00am With over 80 stalls confirmed, all manner of souvenirs, trinkets, festival merchandise and Earth based treasures will be available. Anyone interested in having a stall should download an application form available on the homepage and email info@cardwellufofestival.com.au for more details

• Star Bar - Sun 10:00am to 3:00pm

Join us at the Star Bar again on Sunday for more refreshments and some great live entertainment. With a great selection of beer and wine, entry is still only $3.00 for adults.

• Sunday Session with Cameron Cusak - Starting 10.00am

Get ready for our cruisey Sunday Session with the Cameron Cusak Band. Cameron has performed alongside bands and artists such as Daryl Braithwaite, Busby Marou, Jess Mauboy, The Living End, Sheppard and plenty more. They play a broad range from Reggae, Pop, Rock, Alt Roots and Country and are great for cruising the markets or just kicking back with some refreshments. Click the link to find out more.

• Food Glorious Food - Sun 10:00am to 3:00pm

More fabulous food will be available from 10am on Sunday with our vendors working tirelessly to make sure your energy levels are up for the fun filled day. As usual there will be plenty of choices available from breakfast through till lunch.

• Activities for the kids – 9:00am to 3:00pm

Hey kids, ever wanted to join the circus but lacked juggling, ribbon twirl or even slack line skills. Well this year at the festival we will be joined by the crew from Circus with a Purpose . Their playshops will facilitate a large space for children and their parents to explore circus arts. All equipment is provided in a self-paced, supportive and fun environment. It is an ideal activity to burn off energy, create games and challenges with friends

• C-Files - UFO Forum & Discussion

Australia's original "Yowie man", Rex Gilroy will be the key speaker at this years C-Files. 

Rex's work focuses on yowie reports, UFOs and the lost Australian civilization of Uru. He is an author and publisher of a number of books.

Rex will present his research into the unexplained along with his collection of plaster casts of footprints and other exhibits. He will also have available his books to purchase.

Don't forget to share your pics

Whatever you do don't forget to take lots of pics. There'll be plenty to do and lots to see so be sure to share your photos with us so we can post them on our website and social media.

Had a great time at the festival? One of the best way to remember your experience at the Cardwell UFO Festival is to visit our official merchandise stand and take home a little piece of the festival with you. Our stand has a variety of T-Shirts and trinkets for yourself or a special friend.