Message from Mayor Paul Pisasale
2012 is the start of a new era for Ipswich. It's the start of the city's renaissance. It's the start of the rejuvenation of the city heart, the first step towards our even more vibrant future.
Reinvention is the theme for this year's annual Ipswich Festival Parade - Tales of Discarded Treasure, a celebration of our childhood stories portrayed through the beauty of re-creations of junk and recycled materials.
As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. And never will this be more true than during the festival with larger-than-life puppets with handcrafted fashions, headwear and masks made from recyclable materials. These puppets have been carefully crafted through a 9-week workshop program held in the Ipswich Mall.
Mark May 5 in your diary as the day these creations will come to life when they make their way down the main street of Ipswich Central as part of the festival parade.
To get everyone in a mood to celebrate at the parade, the city's first Busk Off at Carnival Capers will be held in the mall. Then, the annual Top of Town Street Party will round out an evening of entertainment.
There is always something happening in Ipswich during festival season. The entire two-week celebration will start with a bang on April 26 with a colourful evening spectacle by the Bremer River - Fire on the River.
The young and young at heart will also have plenty to keep them amused at Kids Kingdom. Last year this event moved to the newly opened Robelle Domain and has been reborn in its new format.
There are so many free and low-cost events in the program that it would be impossible to mention them all here.
I hope you take some time during festival season to enjoy all that is on offer, to relax with family and friends, bask in the community spirit of Ipswich, and look to our city's bright future.
Mayor Paul Pisasale
City of Ipswich
