You won't believe the floral facts and figures of this year's Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Australia's most beautiful event, which runs all September
Let's start with petals, petals! This year organisers have calculated there will be 37.2 million petals across Toowoomba's parks and at Spring Bluff. They bloom from the 190,000 botanicals that gardeners planted in April in a precision-timed exercise to ensure a canvas of colour for what is one of Australia's biggest events.
What about dollars? Last year the event smashed records with attendance figures increasing an astonishing 28% to 364,775, generating $22.61 million in direct and incremental spending in Queensland.
Some top tips? The popular Festival of Food and Wine will be held from 8 to 10 September in Queens Park, a three day celebration of the best in regional produce and Australian music. This year Jon Stevens, Eurogliders, Hoodoo Gurus, Sneaky Sound System, Budjerah and other leading and local sound-makers star, with foodie queen, Justine Schofield hosting farm to fork sessions.
The event that stops the city is the famous Grand Central Floral Parade, to be held on Saturday 16 September, again at the earlier time of 10am!
From a record number of #trEATS on this year's regional food trail, to the number of dog friendly places to stay and floats in the Grand Central Floral Parade, HERE ARE THE 2023 FLORAL FACTS AND FIGURES……
- 37.2 million petals across Council's parks in the city and Spring Bluff
- 190,000 blooms
- 30 days
- 50th anniversary of the Exhibition Garden program
- Over $800,000 raised over 50 years of Exhibition Gardens
- 69 floats and groups in the Grand Central Floral Parade
- 20,000 people to attend the Festival of Food and Wine
- 17 musicians and bands appearing at the Festival of Food and Wine
- 40 flavour makers, winemakers and brewers at the Festival of Food and Wine
- 1 Teddy Bear's Picnic
- 2,715 times the Ferris Wheel goes around over 16 days in Queens Park
- 51 #trEATS on the regional food trail program, a new record!
- 1 Floral Beer
- 3 Botanical Local Gins and Vodkas
- 50+ Hanging Baskets!
- 19 dog friendly accommodations in TOOWOOMBA (Petals and Pups)
- 50 community events
- 75 local performances in our Heritage Bank Parkland Entertainment sessions
- 14 foodie tours
- 18 Twilight Tours of Laurel Bank Park
- 3 nights of fireworks
- Millions of smiles
2023 Program Highlights:
The superstars of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers are the city's parks, gardens and public spaces, all meticulously planted in designs that are seen only when in bloom. All are free to wander and enjoy.
While this year marks the 74th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, it is also the 50th anniversary of the Exhibition Garden program, which highlights private gardens that flourish all year. The Exhibition Garden program has raised over $800,000 for charities and will run this year from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 September.
The event that stops the city is the famous Grand Central Floral Parade, which will be held on Saturday 16 September, again at the earlier time of 10am, with the theme Create a Buzz!
The popular Festival of Food & Wine will be held from 8 to 10 September in Queens Park. Jon Stevens, Eurogliders, Hoodoo Gurus, Sneaky Sound System, Budjerah and other leading and local sound-makers headline on stage while famed foodie Justine Schofield will give Farm to Fork demonstrations, leading the flavour charge of over 20 local food offerings, 15 pop-up local Cellar Doors, feature floral designs, flower crown making, cocktail bars and floral beer options! In the Botanic Gardens at Queens Park the Ferris Wheel program has been extended to run 15 to 30 September.
This year there are more Twilight Tours of Laurel Bank Park, and for a good reason. Ticketholders see and hear from experts about the darker side of plant life in a one-hour nocturnal tour, meet shady characters like English and Spanish oaks, Gingko trees and Japanese maples and track down exotic and rare species. Tours will be held every Wednesday to Saturday through September.
And …. the Teddy Bears are back! After the success of the inaugural Teddy Bear's Picnic at Picnic Point, it's happening again on Saturday 23 September from 8.30am to 11.30am. With activities, fairy bread making, face painting, food stalls and of course a Teddy Bear Parade, this is one for the young, and the young at heart!
Flavour lovers are in for a feast this year. The regional food trail #trEATS (Toowoomba Region EATS) returns, with a record number of 51 cafes, restaurants and bars offering a signature springtime dish inspired by the event.
The Talking Pubs Tours will feature four character-filled Toowoomba pubs, while taking in the city's hidden laneways, home to some fantastic street art. If that's not enough, the progressive Foodie Dinner Tours visit three venues all via luxury coach! Watch out for famed local brewer 4 Brothers Brewing's signature floral beer, and Toowoomba Region's first artisan distillery in Pechey Distilling Co which works botanical magic with their gin and vodka. Cinema Under the Stars returns on Saturday 30 September, along with the fabulous Hanging Baskets at Cobb+Co Museum, Sideshow Alley in Queens Park from 15 to 17 September, the city-wide Heritage Bank Parkland Entertainment program featuring local musicians and the hugely popular Petals and Pups program.
There are 53 community events and tours, as well as the Chronicle Garden Competition, and for three nights from 15 to 17 September the skies over Toowoomba will light up with breathtaking firework displays!
TICKETS to the Festival of Food and Wine are on sale NOW at tcof.com.au
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2023
1 – 30 September 2023
tcof.com.au
Festival of Food & Wine
8- 10 September 2023
tcof.com.au
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