The Feast originated to raise the profile of the rare and exotic tropical produce from around Far North Queensland. A small, but very dedicated group from the South Johnstone DPI managed the first three Festivals, designed to assist the local growers increase awareness in consumer markets.

The target audience for the Feast is not only the local community, but communities throughout Australia and even overseas with the intent of showcasing the wonders of the Ultra-Tropics®. The region boasts a vast array of tropical and exotic fruits which have been collected over the past 30 years from all corners of the tropical world..

Innisfail is a region of many ethnic cultures and the city centre itself is home to one of the best examples of Art Deco Architecture in Australia. To blend all of this with the wonderful array of local produce is to really experience the Ultra-Tropics® in all Its Glory.

Over the years the Feast of the Senses has expanded to include all local produce, not only fruit, but vegetables, meat, seafood, herbs, spices and wines. It has also grown into a Sensory Experience incorporating cultural activities such as art exhibitions, photography competitions, recipe competitions, fishing competitions, rowing regattas and introducing for the first time a scarecrow competition amongst the schools in the region.

There are several showcase events each year, including a Wine, Fruit and Cheese function that is the official opening of the Festival, a Gala dinner and the huge Market Day Extravaganza.

In 2010 the Market Day Extravaganza will be held on Sunday 28 March, in Edith Street, Innisfail. It is anticipated that the street will ‘buzz’ from a myriad of activities throughout the day. Centre stage will be the Showcase Tropical Fruit Display of the region – more varieties that can be listed here, but will include mangosteen, durian, jakfruit, pomelo, guanabana, abiu and rambutan to name but a few yet not forgetting our staples of bananas and pawpaws.

There will be demonstrations on how to prepare these fruits, ideas for cooking them and even instruction on growing the trees. Other local producers will also be there to showcase their particular products, with tastings and demonstrations as well. The art will be on display as will the photography. Cooking demonstrations will take place in the main street. There will be entertainment by local and cultural groups.

It really will be too good to miss.

2010 Festival Manager Feast of the Senses Inc. – PO Box 1678, Innisfail Qld 4860 Ph: 07 4061 6881 Fax: 4061 9938 Mob: 0413 010 625 Email: martinandkirsty1@bigpond.com.au www.feastofthesenses.com.au