FOGARTY Park came alive with fire, song, dance and food at the weekend as the inaugural Pacific Communities Festival lit up the Cairns Esplanade.
Festival co-ordinator Gillian Tarawhiti said the festival, which is sure to become an annual event, also coincided with the inauguration of the Pacific Communities Council, which will have a specific focus on representing islanders living in Far North Queensland.
Pictures: Cairns Pacific Communities Festival
"Between Townsville and the Cape and out as far as Mt Isa we have a population of about 30,000 Pacific islanders and it has been amazing to be able to have a gathering of all the different cultures," she said.
"With the council, we are hoping to act as a voice for all the groups and lobby to governments and address issues specific to the community."
Groups from Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands all took part in the festival, which had a specific focus on bringing together the youth and celebrating their cultural heritage.
Young performers took part in singing, traditional dance and fire twirling with live music and free islander food entertaining the huge crowd, which Ms Tarawhiti said, came from all corners of the globe.
"The performers were so full of pride," Ms Tarawhiti said.
