THE event-popping Ipswich Festival could become a permanent fixture in May.
Deputy Mayor Victor Attwood made the announcement during the launch of the festival at the Ipswich Civic Centre last Wednesday.
The festival was moved from April to May 18-29 this year after the floods that hit the region in January.
``The new time would be better to take it further away from Easter,’’ he said.
``(The festival) is a great circuit breaker with what we’ve had to put up with.’‘
The floods will remain a focus of the festival with volunteers, SES teams, emergency services and defence personnel being thanked in the street parade on Saturday, May 21.
But the 12-day festival, which will also coincide with Italian Week celebrations, will also focus on the city letting its hair down and moving on.
Riverside fireworks, a circus in the mall, the Prom Song, a street party, global fiesta, the opening of Kids Kingdom at Springfield, art exhibitions, an eisteddfod, a quilt exhibition, horse races, and a jazz, wine and blues show are among the numerous events endeavouring to lift morale and give the city an economic boost.
Ipswich Events Corporation chairman Paul Casos said the festival had attracted 50 sponsors.
``The festival would not be possible without the community embracing it and the community has certainly got behind it,’’ he said.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said it’s time to `kick our heals up and celebrate’.