FLAME BBQ & Music Festival returns to Jimboomba Park on Saturday 19 September but, after three years, this year’s event may be the last.
Deputy Mayor and councillor responsible for Jimboomba Scott Bannan said FLAME was originally established as a short-term project through funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and the event continued to grow each year.
“It was only ever meant to be a short-term thing with funding, so if this is the last one, we’re going to go out with a bang,” Cr Bannan said.
The country music festival first grew out of feedback from the 2019 Jimboomba Summit, where residents called for more community events.
That vision became reality in September 2022 when the inaugural FLAME festival attracted more than 18,000 people, more than double the original attendance target of 8000.
Since then, organisers have relied heavily on feedback to help shape each year’s event.
“We pretty much just listen to what the community has told us over the last three years,” Cr Bannan said.
“This year we’ve got more food trucks, a better layout, one big main stage instead of multiple stages and more rides for the kids. If you enjoyed last year’s event, this year will be even better.”
The 2026 festival will feature a redesigned layout within Jimboomba Park and is being headlined by band The Wet Whistles and award-winning Jimboomba singer and songwriter Jake Whittaker.
While FLAME has become one of Logan’s most successful community festivals, its growth has also created challenges, Cr Bannan said.
“We’re looking for opportunities for someone else to pick it up, but it does put a lot of pressure on the rugby league club when we’re using their fields,” Cr Bannan said.
Despite uncertainty about the festival’s future under council management, discussions are already underway about what comes next.
“We’re looking at different options which would obviously stay in Logan and be close to Jimboomba,” Cr Bannan said.
“As much as the community loves it, not everything runs forever. But we’re pretty confident someone will pick it up.”
Regardless of what happens after 2026, FLAME has already left a lasting mark on the community, demonstrating a strong desire for more large-scale, family friendly events in Jimboomba and all parts of the Logan community, Cr Bannan said.
“It was really cool to see a dream come to life,” he said.
“Regardless of what happens with FLAME, I’ll make sure we continue bringing big things to the area.”
Tickets for FLAME BBQ & Music Festival are $20-25 for adults and free for those under 18. Book via Oztix.
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