Given there’s 190,000 flowers set to bloom in a glorious canvas of colour, it’s no wonder so many Queenslanders are counting down the days until Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (TCOF), which commences on Wednesday 1 September 2021.
In what is shaping up to be the event that all of Queensland needs, TCOF will be held across all 30 days of September, a welcome extension of the historical 10-day event, allowing more people to spend more time in the floral-filled parks, public spaces and gardens, to taste the flavours of the Region and to stay a little longer.
The highly successful COVID-Safe format of TCOF in 2020 has become the blueprint for change in 2021, with new events added to this year’s program and the welcome return of others.
- Taking centre stage throughout September is the flowers, all 190,000 of them at Toowoomba’s parks and public spaces.
- The famous Festival of Food and Wine returns to Queens Park this year, held from 10 – 12 September, celebrating the best in regional produce and Australian music.
- The event that stops and unites the city, the Grand Central Floral Parade also returns in a kaleidoscope of colour! It will be held on Saturday 18 September with a much earlier start time of 10.00am – allowing crowds to enjoy a full day shopping, sightseeing and adventuring.
- New to the program is High Cheese at Spring Bluff, held in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council and hosted by famed chef and local produce champion, Alastair McLeod! This will be an extraordinary experience, given it is happening at the beautiful heritage-listed station that boasts 150 years of railway history and magnificent gardens.
- Also new is Cinema Under the Stars – a free community event in the leafy lawns of the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery, with a line-up of classic movies featured.
Throughout September:
- Floral displays in all parks and public spaces including feature blooms in Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park, as well as floral chalk art
- #trEATS regional food trail which shines the light on 36 cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs with Spring inspired dishes. So, dig out those stretchy pants and put the diet on hold!
- The famed Talking Pubs tours will be held every Sunday
- Stunning light-filled Night Garden in Queens Park Botanic Gardens
- Parkland entertainment featuring local musicians and entertainers
- Twilight Tours in Laurel Bank Park
- The popular dog-friendly Petals and Pups itineraries
- Guided and non-guided walking tours
- Cobb + Co Museum will have a packed program for young and old to discover
- Community events, gardening experiences and gardening displays will be happening across the month
3 – 5 September Weekend Highlights:
- #trEATS regional food trail
- Night Garden in the Botanic Gardens
- High Cheese at Spring Bluff in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council, hosted by famed chef and local produce champion, Alastair McLeod on Saturday 4 September
- Talking Pub tours
- Foodie Dinners
10 – 12 September Weekend Highlights:
- The Festival of Food and Wine returns in 2021 to Queens Park, celebrating the best in local produce, flavours and sips. Local and national music makers will star!
- Parkland Entertainment featuring local musicians and entertainers
- Night Garden in the Botanic Gardens
- Talking Pub tours
17 – 19 September Weekend Highlights:
- The Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday 18 September 18 at 10.00am
- Side Show Alley in Queens Park returns in a kaleidoscope of colour, crazy and cool!
- The much-loved Ferris Wheel in Queens Park Botanic Gardens will be open for all ages
- Talking pubs tours and Foodie Dinners
- Night Garden in the Botanic Gardens
- Parkland Entertainment featuring local musicians and entertainers
24 – 26 September Weekend Highlights:
- Cinema Under the Stars at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery
- Night Garden in the Botanic Gardens
- Parkland Entertainment featuring local musicians and entertainers
- The much-loved Ferris Wheel in Queens Park Botanic Gardens will be open for all ages
- Talking Pubs tours
Since its inception in 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has flourished and is now an iconic Queensland event. The brainchild of Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Carnival was introduced as a way for the city to use its “Garden City” reputation to promote increased economic activity following the hardships of war.
On 21 October 1950, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers commenced with a street procession that stretched three miles in length. Led by a bullock team and watched by a crowd estimated to be 50,000 strong, it was a resounding success, as it has been ever since.
The 2021 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers runs throughout September. For more information and full program, visit: www.tcof.com.au for details.
Image: Bunting at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (supplied)