Maroochydore was the centre of an eruption of colour, music, culture and food for the Ocean Street World Festival this Easter.
The festival attracted a crowd of thousands, proving for the fourth year in a row its importance in Sunshine Coast life.
Mother nature was on point, delivering the perfect amount of clouds to give festivalgoers a bit of shade between the bursts of hot sunshine.
Somewhere between a market, a music festival and a food-tasting experience, the event ran all the way up Ocean Street and spilled into Duporth Avenue. It offered food from Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Africa to name a few, meaning that revelers had a range of options when it came to their hunger.
Taking a walk down the main street also meant being in the middle of a dozen different scents. As well as food from hundreds of different cultures around the world, the air was filled with the aroma of handmade soaps, scented candles and freshly squeezed juice.
Not to worry if health wasn’t a concern, however. Potato slinkies were on offer too, as well as 'cronuts' (a croissant and donut in one), which could be complemented with a shot of Nutella.
The main stage in Ocean Street played host to a range of musical entertainers. Cultural dancers, Brazilian samba music and showgirls were just a handful of the fun for the audience, who was more than willing to put on their dancing shoes and showcase their abilities.
There were clothes stalls aplenty, catering to the fashion lovers in the crowd and providing a hint of retail therapy. A rock-climbing wall, jumping castle and water balls were all present too, meaning the kids were able to enjoy themselves and burn off some energy after chowing down on sweets.
Potato slinky in one hand and fresh mango slushee in the other, this reviewer was blown away by the huge crowd of people that decided to spend the day on Ocean Street. Doing laps of the festival and seeing the different stalls catering to every type of person possible was brilliant.Friendly faces lined the streets, as some returned for a fourth time and others enjoyed their first. A fabulous day out for every member of the family, with each of the five senses being completely spoilt.
Can’t wait for next year!
