Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers unveils 75^th anniversary program and the inaugural Carnival Queen shares her memories

Seventy five years ago a bullock team led a street procession that stretched three miles in length through Toowoomba. This was the first Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, an idea that bloomed as a way to use the "Garden City" reputation to generate economic prosperity following the hardships of war.

Fast forward to 2024 and this event is now the toast of the country. Just two weeks after being crowned the best major event in the nation at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, the 75^th anniversary program has been revealed and it features more than 77 events over four petal-filled weekends from 13 September to 7 October, with the fitting theme, It's A Party.

Petal-fuelled showstoppers this year include the full Queensland Symphony Orchestra performing under the baton of Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici, a 75^th Memorabilia Exhibition, exciting new dining experiences and the return of another record year of #trEATS, the expansion of the popular Teddy Bears' Picnic into the Thrive on Arts four-day event at the Empire Theatre, the return of beloved Carnival Queens to share their memories, and more than 40 million petals on display across the city's famous parks and public spaces.

A jaw dropping 83 events and activations (making up a combined total of 1025 days) will be on offer this year across four jam packed weekends of floral fun!    

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald said the entire region was excited about the 75^th anniversary of the event.

"What a year for Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and what a year for everyone who has ever taken part, walked in the parade, wandered the gardens, danced at the festival, and worked as a volunteer or team member!" he said. "It's your time to party!"

"We know what Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers means to the region - recent statistics from Tourism and Events Queensland unveiled a fresh milestone for last year's event with a record-breaking attendance figure of 417,517"an impressive 14% surge compared to the 2022 results and the first time we have topped the 400,000 mark. Importantly, this also means direct and incremental spending across the region reached a total of $24.54 million, another record for the event.

"This year we are focusing on celebrating what the event brings to the region culturally and socially, with the theme being It's a Party.  There are special accessibility programs and itineraries for 2024, to allow absolutely everyone to experience the beauty of the flowers.

"We are also calling on anyone with memorabilia to allow us to share it at a dedicated exhibition, and we'd love past Carnival Queens and Quest entrants to get in touch!"

Announcing the program today in Toowoomba, Cr McDonald was joined by the inaugural 'Queen of the Carnival of Flowers' from 1950, Fay Clayden (nee Ryan) who made the trip from Brisbane, and said she had no idea the impact the Carnival would have on the Garden City and its community over the next seven decades (see the interview below).

Blooming new events for the 75^th anniversary, include:

• Carnival Memorabilia, a celebration of 75 years on display outside the Toowoomba City Library, from 13 September to 7 October while the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery has the Carnival Queen Exhibition.
• Symphony Under the Stars will be performed by the full Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici in his first trip to the Garden City on Friday 4 October with tickets available from 14 June.
• Dinner Edits, an all-new dining experience will see local breakfast and brunch favourites open for a 'Dinner Edit' of their menus on 21 and 28 September and 5 October. Tickets from 14 June. 
• The Teddy Bears' Picnic will be morphed into a four-day kids' event at Empire Theatre by Thrive on Arts from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 September.   
• This year 50 Community Events join the program, from Bricks in Bloom, a floral LEGO expo, to the fabulous Hanging Baskets at Cobb+Co Museum, tribute art exhibitions and trails, Clivia, Orchid and Geranium flower shows, Alice in Wonderland-inspired Fairy Garden activities, a Carnival of Trains, wonderful Parsley, Rosemary & Thyme High Teas, a Spring Jazz Festival, walking tours that celebrate the city's architecture and history, Behind the Curtain Tours at the Empire Theatre and so much more!
• In an international coup, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will be on display from 23 September to 3 November in the world-famous Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore!!

Returning stars include:

• Prepare yourselves Petals, this year's Grand Central Floral Parade at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will be a party for the ages on Saturday 21 September from 10am! Organisers are hoping for 75 floral floats celebrating the incredible history of the event, entries are now open!

• Better dig out your stretchy pants because a record number of floral-inspired #trEATS are expected this year. Introduced in 2020, #trEATS (standing for Toowoomba Region EATS) is the regional food trail that features signature springtime dishes from cafes, restaurants and bars inspired by Toowoomba's most famous event, all priced at $10-$20, and the good news is that there's four weeks to devour them, from 13 September to 7 October!

• The hugely popular Festival of Food and Wine will take place in Queens Parks from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September. June 14 is the day the lineup is announced and tickets go on sale.

• Queens Park and the Botanic Gardens will be home to stunning Feature Floral Displays, information hubs, food trucks, the Heritage Bank Parkland Entertainment program, Gardener Information points and the fantastic Ferris Wheel which will run from Friday 13 to Sunday 22 September. Sister park Laurel Bank will feature the breathtaking floral attractions, without the Ferris Wheel, and is also home to the Twilight Tours.

• Twilight Tours of Laurel Bank are a highlight. Ticketholders hear from experts about the darker side of plant life in a one-hour nocturnal tour, meet shady characters like English and Spanish oaks, Gingko trees and Japanese maples, track down exotic and rare species and see what goes on behind the scenes to create a picture-perfect park.

• The Chronicle Garden Competition and the Toowoomba Exhibition Gardens will both run from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 September with a record number expected. Organisers advise to book bus tours early this year!

• Returning in 2024 is the popular Talking Pubs, a walking guided tour of three character-filled Toowoomba pubs with tastings included, happening each Sunday 22 and 29 September and 6 October - with tickets on sale from 14 June.

• The Heritage Bank Parkland Entertainment will run every Friday to Sunday plus the school holidays, Sideshow Alley will operate from Friay 20 to Sunday 22 September and Cinema Under the Stars returns on Saturday 28 September, this year, in Peacehaven Park.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2024

13 September to 7 October

tcof.com.au

Since its inception in 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has flourished and is now an iconic Queensland event.  The brainchild of Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Carnival was introduced as a way for the city to use its "Garden City" reputation to promote increased economic activity following the hardships of war. On 21 October 1950, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers commenced with a street procession that stretched three miles in length. Led by a bullock team and watched by a crowd estimated to be 50,000 strong, it was a resounding success, as it has been ever since.