Fair bit of fun to come alive today
ROLL up, roll up, Coolum's biggest annual community event is on again.
All the fun of the fair begins today at 3.30pm when the Coolum Carnival gets under way at the Coolum State School.
Hundreds of local families and students, past and present, attend the event every year for their hit of rides, show bags, stalls, attractions, games and far too much food.
Rides, including the giant slide, paratrooper, the scrambler, mega chairs, cup and saucer ride, jumping castles, hot rods and pedal cars are all included in the cost of a wristband, which can be bought for $30 before the carnival or $35 at the event.
New attractions this year include Whack a Toad (land a toad on a lily pad and win), bubble blaster, where kids can play in sudsy environment without getting wet, ans Sandy Candy edible art.
Old favourites Pig Brother, Pluck-A Duck, Pick Your Nose, lucky bottles and the petting zoo will be there to keep all ages entertained and offer chances to win great prizes.
Returning bigger and better are Yabbie Catch, Reptile Man and mini-golf.
The carnival concludes with a massive fireworks display at 8.30pm.
Carnival organiser Cathy Taylor said the response from major sponsors Bendigo Bank, which has made a three-year commitment to the carnival, Coolum Beach Bowls Club and Coolum Park Shopping Centre, as well as the long-term regular sponsors, had been fantastic.
"Once again we've been really blown away by the level of support we've received from local businesses and the Coast in general," she said.
Principal Pat Cavanagh said the carnival was a great family friendly event.
"We have good security around the event and it's become a bit of an icon in the Coolum community," Mr Cavanagh said.
"Not only the school families but all the community has a real sense of ownership and belonging to the event.
"And it brings the whole Coolum community together in a way that probably no other event in Coolum does."
Funds from this year's event would go towards putting wireless technology throughout the school, "taking the school further into the digital age".
