Be Part Of Something Great At The Great Barrier Reef Festival

The 2024 theme for the Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival has been announced and people across the region are already getting excited about the Above and Below theme that is set to highlight our beautiful region once again.

This month, Cruise Whitsundays also confirmed their naming rights sponsorship for the event once again, their involvement bringing some exciting environmentally focused boat tours which will become one of the feature events during the festival.

Renowned for being one of the most family-friendly community events of the year, the award-winning Great Barrier Reef Festival has been a cornerstone of the annual events calendar for almost 25 years.

Highlights include the Coral Sea Marina Lantern Parade which sees the boardwalk come alive with beautifully decorated lanterns and the Airlie Beach Rotary Club Street Parade where businesses and community groups decorate their own floats.

There is also the Recyclable Regatta, Magic Mile, Family Fun Day and a crowd favourite – the Sebel Whitsundays Fireworks on the Foreshore where thousands of people gather on the beach to watch the night sky fill with colour.

As the evenings unfold, the main-stage heats up with both local talent and a top-secret headlining act who is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The beach-side pop-up bar is always buzzing, and families can enjoy the Side Show Alley and Carnival Rides throughout the evenings.

This year, the environmental theme runs throughout, both within events that incorporate recycled materials, but also through different educational opportunities that inspire and inform.

As part of the initiative, attendees have the opportunity to enjoy a Reef Experience with Master Reef Guides, an immersive day on the Great Barrier Reef learning and listening from the undisputed masters of the Reef.

In addition, the Above and Below Art Exhibition will be hosted by the Whitsunday Sailing Club this year and also the Immerse Arts Installation will be a focal point to the festival heart, with the stunning lighting animations and artworks at Fairy Tree Park.

This year there will be some new additions to the festival line-up, these include a special Cocktails on the Point event at the Whitsunday Sailing Club and the Whitsunday Life Newspaper Window Dressing Competition where main street business stand to win $1000 worth of advertising for the best dressed shop front.

There is so much going on at the Great Barrier Reef Festival again this year – what are you getting involved with?

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WHAT: Great Barrier Reef Festival
WHERE: Airlie Beach
WHEN: 1-4 August

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Want To Volunteer?
The Great Barrier Reef Festival is now looking for community minded volunteers who would like to get involved with anything from manning a stall, selling raffle tickets, event planning, selling merchandise and much more. Contribute as little or as much as you like, prior or during the event – the choice is yours and any help makes a HUGE difference! To find out more attend the Meet and Greet volunteer gathering at Boaty’s at 5pm on Tuesday 21st May or simply call 0418 155 542.

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