This Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July, the ampitheatre at Kings Beach in Caloundra will be venue for the Sunshine Coast French Festival. It’s the last of 5 French festivals taking place across Australia in July.
You can expect French pâtisseries, crêpes, saucissons, cheese and raclette, and of course wine or champagne to wash it down. You can also participate in the snail eating competition if you dare.
Or you can buy French products from the French stalls. You will find homewares, books, jewellery, and French food brands. Start planning your next trip to France with the France at Leisure, L’Amitié tours and Provincial Living Magazine stands.
There will also be plenty of entertainment for your eyes and ears. Girl Friday, a jazz group will sing you both covers and their own original material. Red Cherries, a group that has been around for years, will play from their French repertoire too. Rubatuba, a Sunshine Coast based French duo will sing both traditional and non-traditional songs. Romony Rogers, who sings in both English and French will also perform as will students from Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
Watch the baton twirling by the Sunny Coast Twirlers, can—can dancers led by Maria Burgess, who herself was a dancer at Moulin Rouge in Paris for many years. If fashion is your thing, there’s a fashion parade to attend. Students from the Cooroy State School will also perform a French play.
Help the Sunshine Coast French Festival achieve the world record for the most people wearing berets in the same place at the same time. If you don’t have a beret to wear, the merchandise store will be selling them.
You can also learn more about a number of French things with masterclasses on the subject of painting, champagne, French wine, and cheese.
An opportunity to explore your creative side while sipping on some bubbles as you let yourself be inspired by France and paint your own creation to take home from the class.
Ken Gargett, Managing Editor of ‘Fine Wine & Champagne,’ will lead this masterclass and take you on a voyage of champagne discovery. You will taste some of the best champagnes and Ken will talk to you about the extraordinary differences offered by champagne. Tickets cost $100.
Ken Gargett is also leading this class about the wines of France. He will take you through the wines of the various French wine regions as you rediscover old favourites and discover future favourites. Whether you be a beginner or an expert, this class offers new experiences for all. Tickets cost $80.
Learn more about cheese such as why it looks, smells and feels the way it does. You will taste cheese from some of the best fromageries in France. The class will be led by a French cheesmonger, Aurélien from La Fromagerie. Tickets cost $55.
Tickets and more info
Admission ticket: $10 for a double ticket if you buy online or $10 per person at the gate :
Children under 12 years of age: free
V.I.P. Marquée ticket: $49 (Only available for the Sunday as the Saturday ones sold out) for a glass of champagne, your choice of a platter of a dozen oysters or a cheese platter and a gift bag including L’Occitane products.
The masterclasses have their own tickets.
All tickets can be purchased via: https://sunshinecoastfrenchfestival.com.au/ticket-office/
Sunshine Coast French Festival will open from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
