The Artist Line-Up for the 2019 Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine at the 70th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Has Been Announced

Toowoomba's Carnival of Flowers celebrates 70-years this September so we knew that something special was going to happen when it came to the entertainment for Toowoomba's iconic floral event - and special it is.

Australia’s most iconic ‘voice’ - John Farnham has been announced as the headline act at the Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine in Queens Park over the opening weekend of the 70^th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers! 

John Farnham is, without challenge, Australia’s most successful solo artist, on-stage and on record.  His 'Whispering Jack' album was the first album to sell over a million copies in Australia alone, and on Sunday September 22 he will close the opening weekend of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in what will be an epic music event.

Peter Lock, CEO of Heritage Bank said the news doesn’t stop at John Farnham!

The music line-up at The Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine this year is nothing short of spectacular.”

“The weekend features a program of talented music-makers, with new and emerging bands on the Friday night, epic sound creators on Saturday playing some of the biggest songs in history, and then a Sunday led by the man himself. Of course, The Carnival Choir is a wonderful new initiative to celebrate the 70^th anniversary, and one we hope will become a permanent highlight of the weekend.”

The Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine opens on Friday September 20 with the all-female, four-piece ensemble Pink Matter laying down a cool neo-soul and urban sound, before Sydney-based performer Sloan Peterson takes over with her modern garage rocks-meets-50s guitar pop. Closing the night is Middle Kids, an indie rock band from Sydney, led by lead singer/guitarist Hannah Joy and her husband, Tim Fitz.

On Saturday the program opens with famed funk, hip hop, blues, soul and dance music makers Electrik Lemonade (who were in contention to represent Australia at Eurovision 2019!), before powerhouse tribute band Forever Queen takes over, followed by internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute group Bjorn Again closes. This will be a night of epic anthems!

On Sunday the program features Brisbane brass fuelled funk festival band Cheap Fakes follows, before iconic Australian band Dragon takes to the stage. To close the opening weekend, the man himself John Farnham will perform in front of an expected capacity crowd.

The Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine will also feature over 50 produce and wine stalls celebrating flavours straight from the bountiful paddocks, orchards and vineyards of Southern Queensland Country region.  Cooking demonstrations by acclaimed Australian chef Adrian Richardson (La Luna, Good Chef Bad Chef), garden design talks by Dave Franklin of The Block fame as well as beer and BBQ master classes and incredible floral installations, led by the reigning Interflora World Cup champion, Brisbane-based Bart Hassam.

Over 10 glorious days from September 20 to 29, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will shine as Australia’s most beautiful event. Over 1,100 hectares of public parks and private gardens will be on display this year shining with over 180,000 bulbs and seedlings in full bloom. Gardeners across the city have been planning and planting over the past month to ensure everything blooms in a perfectly timed carpet of colour for the expected 250,000 locals and visitors who celebrate the event.  

Toowoomba City Cr Geoff McDonald said, “What makes Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers so special is that there is so much to experience – if you love emerging music, we have that. If you are a gardener, we have plenty! If you are a foodie, then prepare for flavour overload. If you love a low and slow BBQ with a beer to match, that’s easy! If you are here for gardening tips and tricks, then take a seat. If wine is your thing, then choose a colour! If you want to learn the history of our classic pubs, take in a steam train ride, experience a Tombstone Tour, be wowed by an amazing teapot exhibition or be surrounded by hanging flower baskets, then we also have all that!”

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers: September 20 to 29, 2019

Program detail at www.tcof.com.au or on www.facebook.com.au/CarnivalFlowers

Tour detail at https://www.tcof.com.au/touroperators/ 

Accommodation detail at https://www.tcof.com.au/accommodation/ 

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