Dalby’s Delicious & Delightful Festival kicks off next weekend and organisers are expecting more lanterns than ever.
Arrow Energy has backed the festival for the past four years through financial and in-kind support. This year, Arrow has been involved in the lantern making workshops in the lead up to the big event.
“We had about 400 lanterns in the spectacular night time parade along the beautiful Myall Creek last year and I’m sure we can do better in 2015,” Arrow Senior Community Officer Tania Marshall said.
“The lantern parade is always the photographic epicentre of the festival.
“Townspeople, from schools to community groups, create some truly jaw-dropping pieces of art so I’m really looking forward to Saturday.”
Tania, a member of the festival organising committee, said children’s lantern-making workshops have been held every Thursday and Saturday in the lead-up to the festival.
Dalby’s best busker competition kicked off on July 11 and heats have been running every Saturday in the lead-up to the finals on 23 August.
The festival will be held over the 22-23 August weekend, beginning at noon on the Saturday and 9am on the Sunday.
There will be foods from more than 20 cultures, and ethnic entertainment from both professionals and talented locals. The citizenship ceremony that was introduced last year will again welcome new citizens.
The festival will also include multicultural workshops, a full stage program of entertainment, a new over 18’s dance party, the lantern parade and fireworks.
The Sunday timetable includes a brunch, markets and the busking competition finals.
This will be the sixth festival, which originated in 2010 to showcase Dalby’s cultural diversity through food and entertainment.
“We anticipate more than 4000 people will attend this year’s festival,” Tania said.
“It became a two-day event last year and our growing advertising reach is drawing more and more people.
“About 25 Arrow team members will volunteer over the weekend, helping with the set-up, marshalling and taking part in the lantern parade.”
Arrow’s backing comes from its Brighter Futures community investment program, which has invested more than $13 million in community projects across Queensland since 2011.