REDLANDS COAST ISLANDS FESTIVAL PLANNING FOR THE ‘LONG TERM’
The Redlands Coast Island Festival is positioning itself to become a major event and tourist attraction for years to come.
The festival is scheduled to be held from October 1-4, the October long weekend.
In recent months, planning has been considerable with an emphasis on getting the southern islands of Moreton Bay to work together to create a ’showpiece’ for island living and island initiative.
Long-time organiser of the Karragarra Seamarket, Shirley Lindsay, is again heavily involved and said for 2021, a considerable effort has been made to incorporate more islands, more events, more entertainment and more visitation, particularly from the Brisbane.
“We want to produce an event that visitors will enjoy and encourage visitation and interaction not just for the short-term, but the long term.”
Organisers have reached out to not just to the Southern Bay Islands, but to Coochiemudlo and North Stradbroke (Minjerribah) Island as well.
The Islands’ Festival has grown out of the popular Karragarra Sea Market that has been a cultural event on Karragarra Island for the past 25 years.
Already several major events have been put in place including music, art, permaculture, classical music, nature and island writers and storytellers via the Writers and Readers Festival on Lamb Island.
Events and activities will address core themes involving nature, arts, community and sustainability, and will include speakers and workshops on topics to generate awareness, particularly in relation to sustainable island living.
Visitors, we are told, will have the opportunity to learn how to live life with a positive impact on the environment.
And, of course, the festival will be a plastic free zone with participants and visitors, encouraged to use recyclable and reusable items.
Organisers are still looking for more sponsors and are calling for interest from stall holders for the Sea Markets and entertainers and support.
They are considerably advanced. Preparations with Sealink and The Friendly Bay Islander and Radio FBI are among the early sponsors.
Additional ferries will run for the event, ensuring ease of visitation from the SMB Islands.
To find out more go to Karragarraseamarket@gmail.com or phone
0404 805 269
• The popular SeaMarkets are central to the Festival