Festival celebrates sustainable living and solutio

From humble, home-made solutions for a more sustainable lifestyle, to ideas on how to change the world, or just a good coffee and live music, Cairns Ecofiesta has it covered.

Munro Martin Parklands welcomes the return of Cairns Ecofiesta in 2021 on Sunday with a big line-up of great acts, old favourites and new inspirations.

The event kicks off at 10am, with over 120 sustainability-focussed market stalls, food and coffee vans, community groups and exhibitors, along with a host of children’s activities and more than 20 performances across two stages throughout the day.

Entertainment includes Jeremiah Johnson, the Jazzuleles, Zee Gachette, Vivian Aisi, In the Element, Ivy Amara, Misstee, Koahlition, The Taste, and a traditional dance and smoking ceremony.

Entry to the event is free.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the free community festival combined environmentally friendly products and sustainable living ideas with entertainment, food and education.

“Small steps can make a world of difference when it comes to reducing our impact on the planet,” Cr Manning said.

“The great thing about Ecofiesta is that it highlights the interesting, fun and often simple ways Cairns people can make a difference and look after our unique environment.

“Ecofiesta brings our sustainability groups and businesses together with solutions for everyone."

Workshops and activities running throughout the day include sessions on earth building, DIY green cleaning or skincare, caring for wildlife and aquaponics.

Another highlight of this year’s event is on onsite quest run by local science innovators at Earth Guardians, through the app Questagame.

Questagame allows players to collect gold and points by finding, photographing and identifying animals and plants around them.

One of Queensland’s top child players, 12-year-old Alisdair Gilhooly, who has ‘captured’ and identified more than 431 species through the nature-based gaming app will be the ‘Mayor of Ecofiesta’ for the day, and will take part in the onsite quest.

Ecofiesta is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. The event is hosted by Cairns Regional Council with support from Wet Tropics Management Authority and CAFNEC.