Whale Parade & Family Day 2022
The Whale Parade and Family Day is a day of fun filled family entertainment, live music, rides, interactive displays and community decorated floats, all honouring the majestic humpback whale’s annual migration and visit to the calm Hervey Bay waters.
Anyone can enter the parade school groups, community groups, workplaces, clubs, not-for-profits, businesses, accountants, social groups, performers, associations, artists, all are welcome to apply and have a whale of time. Find more information and conditions of entry in our Whale Parade Participation Guide. Applications close 5pm Friday 15th July 2022.
The 2022 Whale Parade theme is ‘SPLASH’. We want you to have a lot of fun while making your floats, and even more fun showing off your ocean-inspired floats during the parade.
If it’s a creature that can be found in the waters of Hervey Bay and creates a splash then we want to see it on your floats – from humpback whales to dugongs, sea turtles, stingrays, dolphins, prawns, fish and more! Have a whale of a time, get imaginative and be creative!
The parade will commence at 2:30pm from Frank Street down Hervey Bay’s picturesque Charlton Esplanade before arriving at 3:30pm at Seafront Oval. Road closures will be in place along Charlton Esplanade and surrounding streets from midday to facilitate the parade.
Blessing of the Fleet | July, 2022
Hervey Bay’s traditional Blessing of the Fleet at the Great Sandy Straits Marina, to herald the start of the 2022 whale watching season, unfortunately will not be held this year because access to the marina complex for this event has not been agreed by the leaseholder.
The Blessing is a centuries-old tradition believed to have originated in Mediterranean fishing communities to ensure a safe and prosperous season for all vessels. To keep the tradition alive in Hervey Bay, it is planned to add a blessing ceremony to the annual Paddle Out for Whales event on Sunday 31 July 2022.
Because of the tight harbour docking area at other marina complexes, and the shallowness of the Bay close to the shoreline, the Great Sandy Straits Marina is the only possible venue for a blessing event providing close access to the boats. We hope a harbour blessing can be staged in the future and FCTE will continue to advocate for this with all parties.