BEENLEIGH Cane Festival will this year make an iconic return to the local showgrounds.
Organisers have announced that the parade, on May 13, will still wind through the streets of Beenleigh, but this year would finish at the Beenleigh Showgrounds.
This would allow the festivities to continue, and the new finishing point to come alive with the presentation of official awards, food trucks, rides, face painting and a laser light show.
“Following an incredible relaunch in 2021, the Rotary Club of Beenleigh is proud to be bringing back the much-anticipated Beenleigh Cane Parade and Gala Ball for 2023,” committee reprentative Janee Hong said.
The Beenleigh Cane Gala Ball will be the weekend following the parade, on May 20.
It will be the third gala event to be held at the Beenleigh Events Centre since the post-Covid return of events in 2021.
“The Cane Gala Ball has already become a stalwart event in the Logan community events calendar,” Ms Hong said.
“Featuring a signature menu crafted to focus on our fabulous local produce, live entertainment, dancing and exclusive auctions and raffles fundraising for local projects.”
The first two annual events held have raised more than $24,000.
Rotary Club of Beenleigh, Quota Beenleigh and Soroptimist International Beenleigh joined forces to commission author Karen Tyrrell and illustrator Megan Forward to publish historical picture book, Follow the Sugar Trail.
It’s part of a joint literacy project, Sugar Sweet Stories.
In coming months, more than 2000 copies of the book will be donated to Year 3 students in the local area.
Festival organisers say they’re looking for volunteers to lend a helping hand with this year’s parade and surrounding events.
“In 2021, the Beenleigh Cane Parade & Gala Ball was touted as giving our community a great big hug,” Ms Hong said.
“And in the midst of the Covid pandemic, the community gathering saw young and old come out in droves to experience the spectacle of passing floats, bands, community groups and dancers.
“We can’t wait to see what creativity and passion the community holds for their floats and displays in 2023.”Â
