THE November solar eclipse celebrations at Port Douglas are set to receive a major boost with Cairns Regional Council expected to award $80,000 in funding to support two of the drawcard events.

Council officers have recommended that the latest round of grants for 2011-12 be approved at tomorrow’s sports, arts, culture and community services committee meeting.

In the major events category, the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce looks set to receive $40,000 for the Port Douglas Eclipse Festival while Port Douglas Event Management can also gain $40,000 towards hosting the Solar Eclipse Adventure Marathon.

Chamber of commerce president Ken Dobbs said if the funding was formally awarded it would be used to engage an events manager to explore what activities should be organised around the solar eclipse itself.

"We will have in excess of 20,000 visitors – probably the greatest number of people we’ve ever had here at once – attracted here for a two and a half minute event at 6.30 in the morning," he said.

"We want to ensure that there are plenty of things to do to entertain them and make them want to come back again."

Bruno Bennett of PDEM said the anticipated funding was "wonderful news" and showed a significant level of support from CRC.

While marathon registrations had been a little slower than expected, possibly due to the high Aussie dollar and situation in Europe, Mr Bennett said he was still "very confident" that numbers would come through.

"It’s going to be a wonderful event – with the added attraction of the eclipse, runners will be getting up about 4am to get a perfect viewing spot before the race starts," he said.

In the local community festival and event grants, a total of $20,000 is likely to be allocated between the Tropical Wave Festival, Cairns Tropical Pride Festival and the Pacific Communities Festival.

The Youth Arts Queensland Heyday Festival and RPM Events Tour of the Tropics 2012 – Australian Cycling Classic are also expected to share in $36,668 of developmental event grants.

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