Beenleigh will be all dressed up in cane this month for the annual Beenleigh Cane Parade and festival.
The festivities will kick off with the Cane Parade at 3pm on Saturday, 9 May, starting at George Street and finishing on Main Street at the Beenleigh Showgrounds, where the Cane Festival will then begin.
Rotary Club of Beenleigh president Tony Sykes said the Beenleigh Cane Parade was one of the longest-running community celebrations in Logan with deep historical ties to Australia’s sugar industry.
“Created to celebrate the region’s thriving cane farming community and to mark the importance of the sugar harvest to the local economy, the parade was a chance for the community to get-together, take pride in their achievements and to provide opportunity to fund raise for local charities,” he said.
“After a period of absence, the Rotary Club of Beenleigh revived the event in 2021 to once again celebrate the historic significance of the cane industry and also have a fun family event at low cost and to be the precursor for the gala ball the following week.”
Mr Sykes said over the decades, the event had evolved from “a simple agricultural procession into a vibrant festival that blended tradition with modern community spirit.”
“Extra effort this year is being made with the help of local cane growers to “Do Up” the town in cane,” he said.
This year the parade will include, “marching bands, including a pipe band, Beenleigh brass band, schools, classic cars and trucks, agricultural equipment, various community groups,” and a walking fashion parade, he said.
As for the floats, they remain a surprise.
“Over the years we have had participants build their very own ‘Rum Boat’ SS Walrus – credited with helping launch the Beenleigh Rum Distillery – must have taken a few dedicated hours not to mention rum breaks,” he said.
“We have had our very own Abba Group on the back of a truck in past years, but who knows what this year has in store.”
Following the parade, the town will come alive with the Beenleigh Cane Festival, where visitors can immerse themselves in an array of family-friendly activities, watch local talents and taste local flavours.
“With the fantastic support of our business, council and individual sponsors we have been able to add just that little bit extra for the festival at the showgrounds,” Mr Sykes said.
“For the first time, this year we have been able to secure the train ride for the kids together with our usual petting zoo, climbing wall, big slide and teacup ride, face painting and cup cake decorating.”
The festival will also have food trucks, stage entertainment, ending the night with a laser show.
To celebrate the magic of the Beenleigh Cane Festival, the Beenleigh Cane Gala will be held at 6pm on Saturday 16 May at Zarraffa’s Coffee Factory Direct at the Distillery Road Market Precinct.
It will feature live music, gourmet dining on local produce and dancing under the stars, as well as auctions and raffles, with funds going to Beenleigh Cane Parade and Gala Ball charity partners the Beenleigh PCYC youth programs.
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