Cairns Events Let's Do This

With heaps of new attractions, including Show rides, Sideshow Alley, bubble soccer, a planetarium and numerous other family-fun activities, this year’s event promises to exceed all expectations.

Get your tin foil hats ready and buckle up for some serious intergalactic fun and excitement for the whole family. Be sure to mark October 21st 2017 on your calendar!

Organisers of the Cardwell UFO Festival have pulled out all the stops to make the fourth-annual event October 21 one of the biggest festivals in the region.

Due to the growth of the festival and its numerous new activities, the one-day event has been moved to the Cardwell Sports Field and kicks off at 8am.

“We’re really excited this year to offer so many new and exciting features,” festival organiser Thea Ormonde said. “There is just so many more things for people of all ages to do.”

With more than 50 stalls, the Monster Markets is always a favourite among festival goers, as is the Kid’s Zone Activity area, featuring face paining and treasure hunts among its activities. The Lions Club all-day breakfast, music by DJ Gazza from local radio station 4KZ, heaps of food vendors and a children’s Alien Invasion costume party are just some of the multiple fun activities scheduled.

A highlight of the festival is the C-Files, a forum to discuss UFO encounters and unexplained phenomena. The C-Files kick off at 9.30 am with guest speakers Ben Hurle, director of the Victoria UFO Action group, and author Willow Willis. The open-mic sessions, where people share their UFO sightings and unexplained experiences, runs from 1-3, followed by a networking session.

The festivities continue all day and into the night with an 18-plus After Party featuring the band Zacariah, back by popular demand. Party-goers can dance the night away in air-conditioned comfort to a repertoire of popular rock classes from the 70s through to the present day.

WHATS ON AT THE FESTIVAL

• C-Files - UFO Forum & Discussion

10.00am to 3.00pm

A highlight of the festival is the C-Files UFO Forum, which will be held at the Community Centre. You won’t want to miss seeing the displays and presentations that will provide an in-depth look at the alien experiences in the local area. This year featuring speakers Ben Hurle (Director of VUFOA) and author Willow Willis, you can also listen to real UFO stories from personal encounters, join in the discussions or share your own UFO experiences.  Doors open at 9.00am with the speakers starting at 10.00am. Also be sure to stick around after the C-Files for the chat and network session between 3.30pm – 4.00pm.

• Monster Markets

8.00am to 3.00pm

The grounds around the Cardwell Community Hall will be a hive of activity at the Monster Markets starting at 8.00am with select market stalls trading into the evening.  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.

• Rides Galore - NEW

Starting at 10.00am

Whats a festival without rides, and if you like rides you have to be at the UFO Festival. There's plenty to do and see at the festival but nothing will take your breath away like a really scary ride. So get in, buckle up and hang on as you experience the thrill of the showrides at the festival this year. With rides like Dodgems, Super Scrambler, Jungle of fun funhouse, Double story jumping castle, Children's merry go round and much more, they’re sure to bring out the kid in everyone. And for the faint hearted you can test your skills in Side Show Ally, you might just win yourself an alien.

• Sideshow Ally - NEW

Starting at 10.00am

As well as all the rides you’d expect to find at a festival, this year the UFO Festival showcases Side Show Ally which includes all your favourite like  Hoopla, Lucky Ducks,, Laughing Clowns and Bust-a-Balloon just to name a few. Step right up and test your skill on one of the many attractions this year at the festival.

• Planetarium - NEW

9.00am to 4.00pm

The Planetarium is a 6 metre inflatable dome that offers a new approach as a visual entertainment and mobile learning centre. The digital film covers the dome interior totally immersing you in the picture. The films are Astronomy presentations which are both educational and entertaining with shows suitable for children and adults.

• Kids activity tent

9.00am to 4.00pm

The Kid’s zone is a great place to unwind with the youngsters. With plenty of free activities to keep them occupied like colour-ins, jig-saw puzzles and crafts, the Kid Zone is the perfect place to sit in the shade and let the little ones do their thing. There will also be free face painting for the youngsters that want to look like their favourite sci-fi characters.

• Costume-making workshops

Every Saturday Starting 22nd July 2017

Hey Kids, get your creative juices flowing at the free costume-making workshops for the kids at the Cardwell Library in the lead up to the festival to help you prepare your extra-terrestrial outfit for the Kids Costume Party. There will be some great prizes at the party for best-dressed girl and boy. Costumes will be judged at the Alien Invasion Party at 4.30pm. Workshops will be held evert Saturday in the leadup to the festival

• Face painting for the kids

9.00an to 4.00

Whether you want to be a tough super hero or a pretty Barbarella there will be face painting for all the kids that want to look like their favourite sci-fi characters. Make sure your at the kids activity tent between 9.00am - 4.00pm for your alien makeover. All gold coin donations go to the Cardwell State School Student Council.

• Cardwell UFO Festival Triathlon

7.30am to 10.00am

For those wanting a pulse pounding start to the day there's the Cardwell UFO Festival Triathlon. Two and a half hours of swimming, running and riding from the forest to the sea, this beginers circuit is suitable for teenagers to adults, all you need is a suitable mountain bike and of course, an approved helmet. Hit the 'Read More' button now for details.

• Space Race

9,00am to 4.00pm

Heres an adventure for the kids of galactic proportions. The Space Race 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 Kids Tent on the day and every kid wins a prize.

• Play that spacey music

All day

What’s a festival without great music?  You’ll spend the day tapping your feet and grooving to the rhythm of some choice tunes.  Featuring renown DJ "Gazza"  from local radio station 4KZ, who'll be playing todays hits and favourites from the past, he's also sure to sneak in some themes from your favourite sci-fi movies and TV shows.

• All day breakfast

8.00am to 3.00pm

Start your day off with an out-of-this-world breakfast at the Carwell Lions brekkie stall. Enjoy freshly made breakfast favourites while cruising the festifal. Breakfast will be available for the whole day for those that wake up a little later than others.

• Bubble Soccer - NEW

10.00am to 3.00pm

Fancy bouncing around the field, smashing into your friends and having a great time? Well at the festival this year you’ll be able to pop on a bubble suit and have a bash at Bubble Soccer. You can crash into and mow down anyone that gets in your way, all while trying to have a game of soccer. Who knows, you might even score a goal or two. This fun activity is for ages 16 and over and is on between 10.00am to 3.00pm. So form a team or just come and join in the fun of this crazy sport at this years festival.

• Laser tag

10.00am to 3.00pm

Hone your skills, get ready for a real alien invasion and have fun at the same time with laser tag. This event is for adults and children who are looking for a challenge. Battle your friends, parents, children or whoever else might drop in for a close encounter.

• Alien Invasion Party

4.00pm to 6.00pm

The Alien Invasion Costume Party is one just for the kids. Held in the Lions Hall between 4.00pm to 6.00pm, it gives the kids a chance to dress as their favourite sci-fi characters  or something completely out of this world. With lots of  great prizes at their own cosmic disco, it gives the kids a chance to ditch the parents for a couple of hours and have some real fun.

• Mos Eisley Cantina

Opens at 5.00pm

You never know who – or what – you’re going to meet at the Mos Eisley Cantina, named after the bar in the Star Wars movie. Enjoy refreshments with your friends and maybe share a round with a new alien race at the same time.

• After Party

6.30pm to 11.30pm

Come to the after party dressed as you favorite alien to be in the running to win some great cash prizes Categories for best-dressed, most original and ladies and gents. Live entertainment from the band Zacharia and plenty of food to keep you from going hungry. Doors open at 6.30pm with the band starting at 7.00pm.  There is even a free locals home-drop service between 8.00pm-12.00am for those that need a ride home. All this for just $10.

• Zacariah

7.00pm to 11.30pm

Enjoy the down-to-earth music of the popular band Zacariah at the After Party with lead guitarist Des Mizzi, bassist Greg Armbrust, lead vocalist and guitarist Paul Pappas and guitarist and vocalist Brad Mizzi. Zacariah gained a strong following of fans while playing night clubs, hotels and other rock music venues on the northern circuit during the 70s and 80s and have recently reformed. 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, glorious food

All day and night

All your earthly favourites, like burgers, hot chips and hot dogs will be available, as will be chilled drinks and snacks. Tasty meals and treats will be available from early in the day like the Lions All-Day-Breakfast to late in the evening including Janes Noodle Cups at the After Party along with some other delicious treats and show food. There will also be an ice-cream and coffee van handily available.

• FREE Courtesy Ride Home - NEW

8.00am to late

The local taxi will be running courtesy rides for the After 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.

• Merchandise

All day

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.

For more information visit cardwellufofestival.com.au or phone Ms Ormonde on 0447 660 248 or Nic Zymaras on 0419 975 657.