Stanthorpe turns up the cool factor

A significant three-day chill is about to hit Stanthorpe.
Over three massive days the Snowflakes in Stanthorpe Winter Festival will return between Friday 30 June and Sunday 2 July.
Grab your beanies, scarves, mittens and puffer jackets and take a trip to Stanthorpe these school holidays. The town is gearing up to host thousands of visitors seeking a winter family holiday in Queensland with a guaranteed chance of throwing snowballs.
On Friday 30 June, the main street of Stanthorpe will be packed with great entertainers, demonstrations and activities, showcasing everything local. Rug up and enjoy the on-stage performers, seasonal markets and incredible ice sculpture competition.
The whole family is invited to join in on the street parade, the bocce rink, the jumping castle, the snowman toss and the whip-cracking showcase.
After 5pm, the local restaurants and bars will provide the warmest hospitality around, or you can beat the crowds and try your hand at ice-skating up at the showgrounds.
Let it snow – join in the fun on Saturday 1 July at the Stanthorpe Snowgrounds. The gates open at 9am and the ticket price includes a huge range of free activities, including the massive snowfield (with separate under-8s area), on-stage entertainment, fashion parade, movies, giant snow globes, face painting, climbing wall, enchanted forest, jumping castles, petting zoo and ‘snow’ much more. Wander through the winter markets, indulge at the international food fest and relax in the local wine and beer marquee.
The ice-skating rink will be available until 7pm at an extra cost of $20 per person. The evening ends with a spectacular fire show and fireworks display and bonfire to keep you toasty warm.
On Sunday 2 July, head back to the Snowgrounds for more time on the ice-skating rink and plenty more snow. The market stalls are open from 9am to 2pm, along with a classic car display, miniature railway display, kids activities, a second day of markets and great on-stage entertainment. For those who dare, the Iceman Challenge will test your stamina, and the frosty fun run will be lots of fun for the 5 to 12 year olds. You can even learn to crochet some winter woollies.
Across the weekend, the String Family, James Blundell, the Haystack Mountain Hermits, Johnson the Magician and Fortunato Isgro will be performing with a fantastic range of local artists. Performance times can be found on the website, along with extra activities like Stanthorpe Little Theatre, and Brass Monkey Bike Ride.
The ice skating rink will be open 9am to 5pm Thursday to Sunday (up to 7pm on Friday and Saturday). Costs are $20 per person for ice skating, with a beginner’s area available, especially catering for the under-8s.
Organisers are inviting everyone to come to the coolest town in Queensland and join in the winter celebrations from 30 June to 2 July. Accommodation fills up quickly, so visitors are encouraged to book early.
Snowflakes has been able to secure an empty shop for a manned office at Stanthorpe Plaza for four weeks prior to the Snowflakes weekend. Tickets will be available for purchase, along with competition forms and to answer any inquiries you may have.
All of the details including online ticket sales can be found on the website snowflakesinstanthorpe.com.au or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
Remember: It’s going to be ‘snow’ much fun.
For details see Facebook.com/snowflakesinstanthorpe or Instagram.com/snowflakesinstanthorpe
Costs are: Friday – free; Saturday – adult $15, concession $10, youth/child $5; and Sunday – adult $5, youth/child $2. Ice skating is $20 per person.