There is the annual Grand
Parade,
...
with four wheel drives,
... kids, and Bama - the local Aboriginal people.
There are themed breakfasts, raffles, amusement rides, market stalls, ...
...
family
movie, kids activity tents, and lots of fun in Lions Park.
There is lots of fun at the pubs,
..
... including crab and
cane toad
races,
... banana, pie,
... and pasta eating
competitions (not allowed to use hands),
... and live music.
Other competitions
are in the
streets, in front of the pubs,
... including the annual Billy Kart Derby, Tug of War, truck
pulling, Wet Tshirt and
Wet Jock Competition
(LOL it was late and I was already in bed but I was laughing loud just
hearing the crowds :-).
There are
historical walks (Cemetery,
Botanical Gardens) and
talks
(Gold rushes, Chinese), ...
... other
speeches, ...
... sea plane and helicopter
flights,
...
... gold panning,
...
.. cannon firing,
...
... and fantastic
performances
by belly dancers as well as by the local Bama Aboriginal People, with
some great artwork for body painting.
And of course, the
Cooktown Festival
fireworks..
But one thing that you won't see anywhere else except at the Cooktown
Festival, is the re-enactment.
It starts with the re-enactment of a traditional
gathering the way Aboriginal culture was around the time
of
James Cook's arrival.
Then, James
Cook steps into
the scene
(the whole thing is actually more detailed but here is a short version).
After a while, the traditionally clothed Aboriginals go checking the ship
out..
... and find they have a sea
turtle
onboard, which is Aboriginal food.
They don't like it so there is a confrontation
in which Cook's men take their spears.
Captain James Cook later returns the Aboriginal weapons, making peace.
Once the ship is fixed the Cook's
crew takes off ...
... and stop at Possession Island to claim
eastern Australia for England. (Joseph Banks is putting
the flag
up)
Cooktown Festival is great, it was one
of the better weekends I have lately had.
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