The 2021 Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival welcomed more than 6000 visitors, held over three events to celebrate the start of the Burdekin sugar cane crushing season.
More than 2000 people attended the first cane fire of the season at the Home Hill Showgrounds on the Thursday night, kicking off the festival.
It marked a return of the physical festival, which was delivered in a virtual format in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tully’s Stuart Gilbert took out the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships, continuing a family tradition of excelling at the event.
Over 55 Cane cutter winner Bill Matthews with Peter Maddern and Alsemo Felesina.
Cr McLaughlin said the impressive turnout was testament to the hard work of staff and volunteers.
“I want to thank the more than 6000 people who joined us in the Burdekin over the course of three big days for the first fire, Burdekin Cultural Fair and Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships,” Cr McLaughlin said.
“The Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival begins with the very first sugar cane fire of the season, and finishes with the most experienced cutters from across the country showcasing their skills and harvesting that cane by hand.”