The annual Planes, Trains and Autos is set to awe Ipswich residents and visitors alike over the upcoming Labour Day long weekend.
The festival will once again celebrate all things aviation, rail and automotive and will be held over three big days between 4 and 6 May, providing a series of adrenaline-charged low-cost events across the city.
Ipswich City Council Chief Executive Officer Sonia Cooper said amazing autos, heritage locomotive treasures and aerobatic flyovers will provide unique entertainment for the youngest through to the young-at-heart residents of the city.
“Now in its fourth year this fantastic festival continues to pay tribute to our city’s long manufacturing history, our present, and our potential future as a defence, logistics and advanced manufacturing hub,” Ms Cooper said.
“It also celebrates our region’s deep connection to the men and women who have served our nation.
“Ipswich is home to Australia’s largest operational RAAF base at Amberley, and we are a proud defence city that is deeply grateful for the service and sacrifices made by the men and women of the Australian Defence Forces.
“Planes, Trains and Autos has become one of Ipswich’s favourite festivals.”
Ms Cooper said there will be 8,000 tickets available for the main event at the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops on Saturday, 4 May.
“Tickets go on sale on 21 March and some entry times are expected to sell quickly so make sure you snap yours up, so you don’t miss out.
“Taking this year’s festival to new heights is the hallmark event, newly titled ‘Planes, Trains and Autos presents Fully Charged’, which will have your pulse racing with aerobatic displays and exhilarating ground exhibits and experiences.
“The museum grounds will be packed to the brim with roving entertainment and passionate exhibitors sharing their love of aviation, rail, cars and bikes, while the sky will come alive with performances from both the SkyAces Formation Aerobatic Team and the Wolf Pitts Pro and nimble Zivko Edge 540 solo performers.
“Attendees will have the chance to interact with a variety of brand-new inclusions such as radio-controlled model aircraft, racing drones, remote control cars and V8s while crowd favourites like the Royal Australian Defence Force and superkarts will return.
“This festival has so much to offer with events being held across the city over the entire weekend such as Park and Pose in the heart of Ipswich Central and the Grandchester Model Live Steam Association Running Day.
“Train enthusiasts will be in their element at the Grandchester event staged against the hustle and bustle of a country railway station, with the locomotives scaled-down versions of actual coal burning steam engines which you can ride on.
“You can then zip straight across the highway to visit the stunning Woodlands of Marburg to take in the rolling hills as the backdrop to a Cars and Coffee event before finishing your weekend on the Monday at the Queensland Retro Picnic at Evan Marginson Park, Goodna.
“The picnic combines hot rods, classic and muscle cars and bikes, celebrating the Kustom Kulture paired with amazing street food and live music.”
Tickets for the Saturday Fully Charged event start at $5 for children with family passes from $20. Tickets are available online from 10am, Thursday 21 March at https://www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/planes-trains-autos/
The 2024 Planes, Trains & Autos event is Presented by Ipswich City Council with support from Tourism and Events Queensland, Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, Royal Australian Air Force, Alstom, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Defence Health, Bremer Ford, HALO Rentals, 9 News Queensland, Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway, Ipswich Waste Services and Ipswich Art Gallery.
Ipswich City Council is operating under caretaker provisions in accordance with Chapter 3, Part 5 of the Local Government Act 2009. Media communications by the Mayor and Councillors as ICC spokespeople during this time are limited to ensure compliance with legislation and, equity and transparency between existing Mayor, Councillors and candidates regarding access to Council resources.
