There are plenty of lead-up events to the Cairns Amateurs including the Cairns Amateurs Ball. On this magical night Cairns glitterati don their finest ball gowns and tuxedos and spend the evening feasting on a spread fit for a King, dancing the night away, and watching fireworks light up the sky as the event concludes. The Amateurs Ball has been an annual tradition since the race meet was first held in Cairns. However, its original location was held at a privately owned property in White Rock and in 1979 due to its growing poularity the event moved to Tobruk Pool to accommodate the 2,500 guests that flock to the event and add to the grandeur of the night.
As with any racing carnival, fashion plays a large role in the celebrations. One of the events held in the lead-up to the Cairns Amateurs is a fashion parade brunch where models hit the runway sporting local, national, and international designer outfits. The event is held in conjunction with a charity and there are usually plenty of decadent prizes to be won in one of the many raffles.
On race day the fashions on the field competition is fierce. The women and men who compete for the hefty prize swag may spend months designing or planning their outfits and the all important headwear. While cheering a winner you backed fly past the finish line is thrilling, so to is admiring the stunning fashions.
After each race day punters typically continue the celebrations until late into the evening. The race track, Cannon Park Racecourse, is located a quick ten minute drive from the Cairns CBD and there are always plenty of taxis waiting to whisk you back into town.
Cairns Amateurs race meets are usually held the first week of September each year
