The Milbi Festival launches in the Bundaberg Region this week featuring an exciting and immersive 10-day-program of events celebrating local culture, history and the turtles.
The festivities will begin on Friday at Nielson Park Beach with a free sunset launch including a traditional smoking ceremony and performance by Dami Im of X Factor and Eurovision fame.
On Saturday, Burnett Heads will come alive with show-stopping fun and family entertainment for Milbi at the Lighthouse.
National artists Alex Lloyd and Ash Grunwald will headline the festival inspired line-up, accompanied by fire dancers, local artists, roving entertainers and stilt walkers.
Artisan markets will also be featured at the event, which will be held at Jack Norgate Oval from 11 am to 9 pm.
This weekend will also include a range of artists on show, including Gail Mabo and Yolngu man David Gulpilil and will culminate with the sold out Milbi Tucker + Tunes event at the Botanic Gardens, featuring Busby Marou.
The festivities will continue into next week, showcasing Aboriginal culture through a range of tours around the region.
There will also be plenty for children to enjoy, including the free Milbi Kids in the Park event which will bring together turtle-themed activities for children aged up to five years at Lake Ellen.
Turtles celebrated for Milbi Festival
A celebration of turtles will be showcased throughout the Milbi Festival program, honouring the sea creatures which have called the region home for more than 100 years.
If you are keen to learn more about the turtles, join Dr Col Limpus, Chief Scientific Officer at the Department of Environment and Science, at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre for Turtley Interactive.
Hear about the unique journey marine turtles embark on from nesting to hatchling and the battle to survive in the big blue.
Admission is free, however you will still need to register your attendance.
You can also raise funds to help the turtles through the Milbi Gall Ball, happening on Saturday, 6 November.
The charity event features plenty of live entertainment, an auction, canapes, two course meal and drinks package and is a chance to get dressed up while supporting the Sea Turtle Alliance.
Tickets are still available here.
The Milbi Festival will culminate on Sunday, 7 November at Mon Repos with the whole community invited to officially launch turtle season.
The free event will include First Nations performances, yarns and bush tucker, showcasing the importance of the Milbi to our First Nations People and how the Mon Repos Turtle Centre and local community are integral to the conservation of the incredible marine species.
You can find out more about the Milbi Festival and book your event tickets here.
