The Ipswich City Square are warming up for a sweltering hot 2016 with a range of events lined up for the year ahead.
CMC Rocks QLD 11-13 March, with Willowbank Raceway in Ipswich hosting Australia’s biggest international country music festival. American country star (and four-time Grammy nominee) Jason Aldean will headline the festival, along with Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, and Aussie band The Sunny Cowgirls. Come for the county tunes, stay for a whiskey or two at the new Jack Daniel’s White Rabbit Saloon and Garden Bar on site.
As part of the Ipswich Festival (16 April – 3 May) ‘Creative Kids’ invites little ones of all ages to the Ipswich Square, where there will be a huge range of arts and crafts workshops, activities, and family-friendly performances to enjoy. Get your face paint on, try out the bungy trampoline, or make your own contribution to the ‘Creative Kids’ mural which will be displayed in the square after the festival.
Ipswich goes Medieval on 21 and 22 May, with the ‘Medieval & Fantasy Faire’ summoning dragons, fairies, and a little history to town. Come dressed in your best fantasy costume, enjoy fashion parades and live music, or indulge your inner-'Game Of Thrones' in a jousting battle. It’ll be family entertainment unlike anything else.
The honeymoon can be the big money-drainer if you’re planning a wedding, but those willing to enter ‘Hitched In The Switch’ have the chance to wipe it off the expenses list. On 25 June five brave couples will get married right in the middle of the Square for all to see, with one lucky bride and groom winning a honeymoon package.
If you’re in a band and struggling to get your music out there, Ipswich’s ‘Battle Of The Bands’ is the perfect opportunity to gain exposure and experience on stage. The competition will be held on 3 July with 20 bands performing live in the Square for the chance to win a recording session, their very own music video, and publicity to get their career kick-started.
Australian Skateboarding Community Initiative are holding free skateboard workshops in July, for those wanting to up their ollie game or just have some fun on their board with the rest of the community’s skateboarding enthusiasts. Bring your board and some sweet skills, or grind in if you're a grommet to learn from the experts.
In the later half of 2016 the EKKA Day Comic Convention & Hobby/Collector's Fair will excite your inner-geek. And Kitsch In The Swing is back in September for a retro and rockabilly fashion fiesta. After Halloween and preparations for Santa set in, Street Beat '16 will kick-off for youths with skateboarding, street art, live music and markets to entertain over the summer school holidays.
Spruce up for a summery year 2016 in the 'Swich.
– written by Stephanie O’Neill
