Bring our ya Fruit

Published: 26th March 2011

Haven’t planned anything for Sunday? Tomorrow is one of my favourite events of the region. Market Day at the Feast of the Senses in Innisfail is going to be bigger and better despite what the weather has thrown at the district.

It is usual for the ‘Ultra-Tropics’ to put on a stunning display of its exotic fruits each year at the Market day. However with all crop devastation in the southern region, the Feast of the Senses is asking people to bring to the event (from far and wide) any exotic fruits from their backyard orchard, to make up one gigantic display. They are offering a prize of Clare Richards Tropical Cuisine cookbook for the most exotic fruit received.

Spread along Edith Street will be 72 stalls of laden with regional foods, exotic plant and other general items that you can taste and buy. Look out for the Taste Paradise stall. On centre stage Ajay Zalte of Rydges Resort will be back again this year with cooking demonstrations along with Jordan Lakin of the Barrier Reef Motel and our celebrity chef; Peter Russell-Clarke. You can also catch Peter wandering around between the Elandra Resort and Australian Banana marquees.

Just around the corner in Rankin Street, the family area will be home to the Youth Precinct with ‘Our Kitchen Rules’ competition, artists workshops, busking, circus and street theatre and rambutan stacking competition. (I wonder how many rambutans they can source.)

After looking at all that food you will probably be feeling a little peckish, so head on to the Canecutters Court for some local vittles and entertainment. Landcare have offered two free (1 hour) bus tours that will take you around the devastated and regrowth areas, one at 10.30 one at 12.00.

It’s a wonderful day and this year you can expect the unexpected, so jump in your car, throw the kids in the back; it’s a 1 hour cruise down to Innisfail for the day. At just $2 per adult and unaccompanied minors, $5 for a family, it’s a good opportunity to put a bit of money back into the Cassowary Coast economy. The Feast of the Senses Market Day is held in the main street of Innisfail from 9am – 3pm this Sunday. For further information check out the website www.feastofthesenses.com.au