09/07/2025
SUGAR SOLSTICE: SUNSHINE & SMILES
The spirit of community was thriving at this year’s Sugar Solstice Festival, with Norman Park transformed into a hub of colour, music, and celebration. In its fifth year, the festival – hosted by the Gordonvale Community Action Group – drew one of its largest crowds yet.
The street parade was a highlight, making its way around Norman Park. Crowds cheered as participants from Russo & Vella, the Top of the State Rod and Custom Car Club Inc, the Cairns Pipe Band, Gordonvale Girl Guides, Mayfield Early Education, St Michael’s School, Cairns Hardware, Farmacist, and the Gordonvale Fire Station brought colour and energy to the route.
Local representatives joined in the fun as well. Councillor Moller cruised in style as a passenger in Daryl Cutuli’s ‘Pink Panther Hot Rod’. Mayor Eden took the wheel of her classic EJ Holden, waving the Australian flag, while Member for Mulgrave, Terry James, made a bold entrance in a flashy red Mustang driven by his electorate officer, Ross Contarino.
The Pyramid Views green exhibit featured two decorated bikes and a bike trailer carrying their well-loved pooch, Bonny. Bonny quickly became a favourite among onlookers, happily soaking up the attention and adding an extra dose of charm to the parade.
The Gordonvale Suns Junior AFL Club brought the sunshine aboard a bright and energetic float on a massive flatbed truck.
Festivities in the park included jumping castles, a wide selection of food vans, and a full program of live entertainment on the Blackwell Performance Pavilion stage. The Gordonvale Lions Club’s famous steak burgers and chips were among the most popular offerings of the day.
Those looking for a taste of local history enjoyed guided tours from the Mulgrave Historical Society, who led visitors through the town’s unique mosaic exhibits, each one telling a story of Gordonvale’s rich cultural past.
With sunshine, smiles, and a shared sense of pride, the Sugar Solstice Festival once again proved itself a cornerstone of the community calendar.
Susan Byrne-Callaghan, President of the Gordonvale Community Action Group (GCAG), would like to acknowledge and thank the many contributors who made the event possible. Special thanks goes to Cairns Hardware, Cairns Regional Council: Community Grants, Cairns Property Office – South, MSF, the office of Member for Mulgrave, Terry James, Gordonvale Lions Club, Claire Wadell Design, Gordonvale RSL Sub Branch, Pyramid Views, Gordonvale Men's Shed, Amanda Jade Photography, all the wonderful parade participants, food and entertainment providers, and all the volunteers – including the dedicated GCAG Committee – whose tireless efforts brought this celebration to life.
Photos by Amanda Jade Photography