RABY Bay Harbour will bulge with people from all sorts of places next month, when the inaugural Redlands and Bay Islands Cultural Festival is launched.
Co-organiser, the Queensland Cultural Events Association expects a crowd of about 5000 to turn out.
Sponsored by Redland City Council as part of its drive towards attracting more events to the city, the festival will provide a colourful display of culture, including indigenous and international music, dance, drumming, instrumentals, art and craft, food and cultural information.
It will have up to 50 stalls, many featuring international foods.
International artists will perform on two festival stages, with children's rides and activities.
Performers from cultural communities like Africa, Armenia, Indigenous Australian, Bosnia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Hawaii, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Maori (New Zealand), Pacific Islander, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Tahiti and Turkey will be on show.
A council spokeswoman said the event also served to promote greater awareness and participation in cultural activities, supported celebrations of place and promoted a greater sense of community and belonging.
“It also is hoped that it will promote understanding and respect between different cultural groups as people experience the world in one day,’’ she said.
The event will be free on Sunday, May 7, at Raby Bay Harbour Park from 10am to 4pm.
Queensland Cultural Events Association spokeswoman Sara Weckerle said the event should be a colourful spectacle, with a range of creative stalls, international food and entertainment on two stages.
“This event offers wonderful exposure and opportunities for major sponsors and local businesses alike as the venue is located adjacent to Cleveland’s main road arteries and the CBD, with rail access from the Brisbane CBD,’’ she said.
The association has organised the annual Gold Coast Multicultural Festival since 2008, with the event drawing more than 25,000 visitors and featuring up to 75 stalls for food, art, craft and cultural information, children’s rides and entertainment.
Redlands already has the Quandamooka Festival on North Stradbroke Island, the Redlands Easter Family Festival at the Cleveland Showgrounds and the emerging Night Criterium, a tough and exciting European-style bike racing event through Cleveland’s CBD as part of the Redlands Cycling Festival on May 27.