The Emu Park Lions and Triple M Festival of the Wind is one of the most popular family kite festivals in Australia. It is held when the winds are favourable, and the large tides with the full moon lay bare large stretches of sand allowing room for both kite flying and beach activities. The festival began in 1999 and attracts world-class kite flyers/designers from Tasmania, New South Wales, and members of Kites Queensland from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Maryborough and Hervey Bay.
Literally hundreds of colourful kites of all shapes and sizes, launched from Fisherman’s Beach, fill the sky to provide an amazing spectacle, transporting parents and grandparents back to memories of their childhood flying kites when technology was simpler.
Professional kite flyers are available to provide expert tuition for anyone interested in learning, and to fly dual-line kites rarely seen in the Rockhampton area. The dual-line kites may be purchased at the festival.
Children from toddlers up can learn to assemble and decorate their own kites with the assistance of the Lions Club volunteers before going down to the beach to join the fun of launching their new kites alongside the professionals. Other options also available are the bright and colourful spinning windmills or a balloon twisted into the shape of your favourite character.
This is an alcohol-free festival, and there is no charge for entry. Apart from kite flying, there are many activities for everyone in the family to enjoy.
On the beach, for the more competitive, are sand sculpture competitions and wacky team games, with prizes for the winners. Have a chat with members of the Keppel Bay Sailing Club and the Capricornia Blokart Club who are down on the beach with their dinghies and blokarts. The local Coastguard puts on a great flare demonstration, and the Rockhampton Indoor Sports Centre will be highlighting a very competitive 6-hour beach volleyball match.
There are also many attractions and things to do within Bell Park. Browse one of the largest and busiest markets of the year or, for the young at heart, have a go at the carnival rides. Enjoy the live entertainment and the variety of food and drink available at both ends of the park. Support the Lions Club by buying one of their Aussie style burgers.
The kiddies have lots of activities throughout the day with face painters and photo opportunities with our exotic mermaids and surprise roving entertainers, Bunnings and “Resilient Ricky” with their workshops, and Curly Lou will be there making her amazing twisted balloons. Members of our local fire brigade may also make an appearance with their big red fire truck.
Don’t miss out on activities, check program times.
Save on cooking, grab a pizza or some dutch pancakes at the end of the day, and sit back and relax to enjoy the live entertainment until the sun goes down, then be awe inspired by the spectacular Bendigo Bank fireworks, a grand finale to a huge day out at Emu Park and not to be missed. Then take your happy and tired little people home to bed for a well-earned sleep.
The Emu Park Lions Club organizes and conducts this Festival as a family-oriented event to strengthen community ties and display the beautiful environs of Emu Park with its sandy beaches and green parks.
We sincerely thank our partners – Triple M (CQ), Livingstone Shire Council, Bendigo Bank, Fun Time Amusements, Keppel Bay Sailing Club, and Absolute Waste – and our valuable volunteers for supporting this family festival.
Come, have fun, and fly with us at Emu Park!