The “Heart of the City” event at Roma Street Parklands on Saturday, July 12 is the perfect antidote to anyone who thinks all the fun in Brisbane ended when World Expo closed.
The free event, organised by the Catholic Church and supported by the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council in the lead up to World Youth Day (WYD), is open to all and features entertainment, food and fun from 9am to 4.30pm.
Event Manager Isaac Moody the guiding hand behind Toowoomba’s highly successful decade of Australian Gospel Music Festivals, said he hadn’t worked in an environment as beautiful or aesthetically inspiring as Roma St Parklands before.
“There’ll be plenty to do for the kids and we are really encouraging families to come along,” Mr Moody said.
“While there is plenty of activity I feel it is all secondary or just supportive of the atmosphere that should be there.
“It all has a faith link and that’s what’s going to be great, for young people and families to come, be inspired, surprised and caught up in the excitement of this once in a lifetime WYD event.”
In addition to food stalls and expo booths, activities include a giant inflatable soccer field, children’s craft and face painting, an extreme sports centre, a free spot space where pilgrims can entertain as well as dressing up in donated clothes from a St Vinnie’s stall and dancing to jazz music at a “Fancy Pants Ball”.
“We’ve planned plenty of things to make it interesting all day – there’ll be skateboarding demos and BMX bikes stunt shows and many things but I think nothing will beat the atmosphere and that really will be the best thing about the day,” Mr Moody said.
“The ceremony that’s being put together, which will be the focus for the festival on a huge main stage, will be witnessed by a huge crowd and is certainly going to be inspiring.
“We’ll also be having at least 10 stilt walkers taking photos of the crowd which will be put together to form the Heart of the City logo and given to the State Government and Brisbane City Council.
“My favourite is going to be the stunt show from the BMX and skateboarders in a huge half pipe – which has never done before.”
For more information on the Heart of the City event visit www.wydbrisbane.org.au/hotc
Access to the Parklands is strongly encouraged by public transport, particularly via train to Roma Street Station.
