THE Merry Month of May entertainment in Home Hill nears its conclusion on Friday and Saturday, May 26 and 27 when the Burdekin Cultural Fair, featuring the “First Cane Fire” of the season on Friday night, May 26.
Then, with a return to the earliest days of cane cutting when a cane knife was the tool used to help remove the crop from the field, as the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships are held on Saturday, May 27 – will be the highlights of the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival.
Held at the former Home Hill Showgrounds, the two events are expected to draw large crowds for the unique events that are not normally seen anywhere else around the nation.
The Burdekin Cultural Fair, with the First Cane Fire of the coming crushing season the main feature, will take place from 5pm to 11pm on the Friday night, with gates opening at 5.30pm and entry to the grounds free of charge.
The entertainment will feature live music from Daybreak, Molly Casey and Olivia Licciardello and Perform Music, while a long list of cultural performances will take place including Aboriginal and Torres Strait performers, Highland Dancers, Greek Dancers and Greek Plate Smashing, Belly Dancers and Cuban Salsa Dancers, Indian Dancers and Tango Dancers.
The Cultural Fair will also include a drum circle, free face painting and Henna Tattoos and other free children’s activities and crafts.
The Gates will open to the showgrounds at 10.30am on Saturday, May 27 for The Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships with a $5 entry for adults (18+).
Nominations for the hand cane cutting will open at 10am with a “Cutters Muster” from 10.30am, where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn the art of cane cutting.
The official opening of the championships will take place at 11am before the first of the competitions start at 11.15am.
A total of eight competitions will take place through to 3pm, with the champions in each section claiming their trophies from 3.30pm.
Other entertainment during the day will include a live band on stage and a variety of other activities including children’s rides and face painting.
