Cairns Festival wrapped up yesterday with a family and Father's Day favourite, Carnival on Collins. 

Attracting more than 20,000 people, the Edge Hill avenue was awash with vibrant colours, music and smiles, with market stalls, live entertainment and plenty of excitement for children.

“We’ve been to it (Carnival on Collins) for the last four years,” Manunda’s Adrian Smith, who was with his wife Emma, said.

“It’s a good chance to get out of the house, and it’s something to do.”

“I got woken up pretty early by the kids for Father’s Day.”

“We’ve had a walk around and the kids have had some ice cream – it’s great.”

Mr Smith has three children – Amelia, aged 4, Flynn, aged 2, and Jack, eight weeks.

Cairns Festival, in its 51st season, ended after 17 days of fun in the sun and with attendance estimates of more than 100,000.

Friday was very much a musical extravaganza with Hilltop Hoods playing at Fogarty Park, Grace Knight at Tanks Arts Centre for the Jazz Up North series, and the McMenamins at the Centre of Contemporary Arts.

Saturday’s highlights were The Last Saturday Book Club and Writers on the Waterfront and the Reggaetown world music festival at Kuranda Amphitheatre.

Overall festival highlights included Tap Dogs at the Civic Theatre, the new Village on the Esplanade that provided an interactive festival hub, and the Overflow parade, which alone drew a crowd of 20,000.

Mayor Bob Manning said this year’s festival was an overwhelming success. “Everything has gone to plan and we couldn’t be happier,” he said.

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