General News
28 August, 2026
Calling all swimmers - make a splash at fun in the sun parade
CENTRAL Cairns Swimming will turn the Cairns Esplanade into a “walking pool” as generations of swimmers gather for the Cairns Festival Fun in the Sun Parade on Saturday 29 August.
The group invites past, present and emerging members of Tobruk Water Rats, Herb’s Training & Swim School and Central Cairns Swimming to join its parade entry as Cairns celebrates 150 years. The event will also mark 21 years of Central Cairns Swimming.
The walking pool party will feature music, pool rings, dancing and face painting. Swimmers are encouraged to dress for the theme in togs and shorts, or a Central Cairns club shirt and shorts. Caps, goggles and kickboards can also be brought.
A group dance along the parade route will feature butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, with swimmers practising the routine during their dry-land warm-up before the event.
Parents, carers and siblings are also invited to take part, while adult volunteers are sought to help hold the sides of the walking pool, carry banners and keep swimmers together along the route.
Central Cairns Swimming is Float #23 in the 55-parade-entry parade. Participants will meet at Pier Car Park at 4:30pm, with the parade starting at 5:30pm.
The parade will travel from Pier Car Park along Pier Point Road and the Esplanade, then turn onto Minnie Street and Lake Street, finishing near St Monica’s School. The route is expected to take approximately 25 minutes per float.
Central Cairns Swimming said the entry was also an opportunity to recognise generations of swimmers, coaches, families and volunteers associated with Tobruk Water Rats, Herb’s Training & Swim School and Central Cairns Swimming.
