Sustainability, creativity and a little Halloween fun will come together at the Ipswich Showgrounds on October 31, with two community events encouraging residents to rethink waste and discover simple ways to help the environment.
The Ipswich Climate Action Group is preparing to host Ipswich EcoFest and the popular Trashion Parade, bringing environmental organisations, practical workshops, creative fashion and family-friendly entertainment together for a day of activities.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s Get Your Arts Into Gear, group representatives Rose and Val said the events were designed to make sustainability accessible, enjoyable and achievable for everyone.
With gold coin entry to both events, organisers are hoping to attract families, environmental enthusiasts, creative artists and anyone interested in making small changes that can have a positive impact.
EcoFest brings environmental groups together
Ipswich EcoFest will take place at the Ipswich Showgrounds Reception Hall on Saturday, October 31, bringing together environmental groups and community organisations from across the region.
Organisers said they decided to create the event after Ipswich City Council was unable to hold its usual sustainability festival this year.
Rather than allowing the opportunity to pass, the Ipswich Climate Action Group decided to organise its own celebration.
“We thought we’d have a go ourselves and concentrate on getting environmental groups from all over Ipswich,” Rose and Val explained.
The event will feature practical demonstrations, educational displays and opportunities for residents to learn more about sustainable living.
Activities will include clothing repairs, sewing demonstrations, rag rug making and other ways to reuse materials rather than throwing them away.
Representatives from the Queensland Conservation Council and Ipswich City Council are also expected to participate, alongside other environmental organisations.
Organisers said the aim was to demonstrate that sustainability did not have to involve expensive changes or complicated decisions.
Instead, simple actions such as repairing clothing, reducing waste and making more thoughtful purchasing choices could all contribute to positive outcomes.
Reptiles, electric vehicles and a very unusual wedding
EcoFest will also feature plenty of entertainment for families.
Urban Reptiles will bring a two-marquee display featuring a variety of reptiles and other creatures for children and adults to discover.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to learn more about electric vehicles, with Australian EVs bringing vehicles to the event for people to inspect and discuss.
But one of the day’s most unusual attractions will be the return of a wedding ceremony with a sustainable twist.
Following its popularity at a previous sustainability festival, Miss Solar Panel will once again marry Mr Battery in a humorous performance designed to explain renewable energy.
The mock wedding combines comedy, audience participation and environmental education.
“It’s absolutely a lot of fun. It’s a real spoof and a hoot,” organisers said.
“What it does is give people information about sustainable power and renewable electricity without feeling really lectured at.”
The performance proved so popular previously that organisers decided to bring it back for another appearance.
Visitors can also look forward to lucky door prizes, with the nearby Terrace Cafe at the Showgrounds available for meals, refreshments and coffee.
Making climate action less overwhelming
Beyond the activities and entertainment, organisers said one of EcoFest’s most important goals was helping people feel more confident about making environmentally responsible decisions.
They acknowledged that discussions about climate change could sometimes leave people feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about what they could do.
“People feel really overwhelmed by climate change and what’s happening to the world and tend to feel very paralysed,” they said.
“They don’t realise that there are all sorts of ways that you can do something, take some action and participate in a very small and easy way that’s not overwhelming.”
Organisers said EcoFest would focus on practical solutions that people could introduce into their everyday lives.
They hope visitors will leave with ideas they can use at home, whether that involves repairing household items, choosing reusable products or reducing unnecessary purchases.
Trashion Parade returns for a third year
Following EcoFest, attention will turn to the Trashion Parade, which returns for its third year.
The event celebrates fashion created through recycling, reusing and upcycling materials, encouraging participants to transform discarded or unwanted items into imaginative outfits.
Organisers said previous parades had demonstrated just how creative people could be when challenged to rethink what they throw away.
“I think people have been quite amazed because it’s an accessible and enjoyable thing to do,” they said.
“Whether you do really fine sewing or you repair or you re-wear or you op shop, there’s always something people can do to make a difference.”
The parade aims to challenge throwaway fashion culture while celebrating creativity and individuality.
Organisers raised concerns about the environmental impact of fast fashion and the amount of clothing that ends up in landfill or is otherwise discarded.
They encouraged residents to consider buying quality clothing that lasts, repairing damaged garments and supporting second-hand shops.
“When you buy, be very considerate about what you’re buying,” they said.
“Something that’s going to last and something that you can keep using and appreciating.”
Halloween adds a spooky new category
With the Trashion Parade falling on Halloween this year, organisers have introduced a special Halloween category.
Participants are encouraged to get creative with recycled and reused materials when designing their spooky costumes.
However, organisers have asked people to avoid using artificial spiderweb decorations, warning that discarded webbing can pose dangers to wildlife.
The parade will feature several categories designed to cater for different ages, skills and levels of creativity.
Categories include:
- Halloween: Spooky costumes made with reused or repurposed materials.
- Creative Kids: A category encouraging younger participants to show off their creativity.
- Upcycling: Transforming existing clothing into something new.
- Wearable Art: Creative outfits that turn clothing and other materials into artistic statements.
- Single Items and Accessories: Individual creations such as hats, handbags or other accessories.
- Op Shop Fashion: Outfits assembled using second-hand clothing.
- Old Favourites: Bringing treasured garments from the wardrobe back into the spotlight.
Organisers stressed that participants did not need advanced sewing skills or expensive materials to enter.
An outfit could be created using items already at home, clothing purchased from an op shop or garments handed down through the family.
Entries still open for the parade
Residents interested in participating in the Trashion Parade still have time to register.
Entries are expected to close on Monday, October 26, ahead of the event on Saturday, October 31.
The cost is $10 for the first entry and $5 for a second entry.
Those who would prefer to watch rather than participate are also welcome, with gold coin entry for spectators.
Unlike EcoFest, the Trashion Parade will have catering available.
Organisers said people attending EcoFest were encouraged to stay for the parade, creating a full day of sustainability-themed entertainment at the same venue.
The parade will also feature a judging panel including Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard, Donna Kavanagh and Rachel Vickery from Booval Shopping Centre.
A celebration of community creativity
The upcoming events follow a successful collaborative exhibition opening at the Old Courthouse, which was also highlighted during the Get Your Arts Into Gear program.
The exhibition brought together the Ipswich Art Society and several other creative groups, including photography, craft and music organisations.
Co-host Glen Smith praised the collaboration and said it was encouraging to see different creative groups working together.
The same community spirit is central to EcoFest and the Trashion Parade, with organisers hoping the events will bring together people of different ages, backgrounds and interests.
They said the combination of practical environmental education and creative entertainment was designed to show that sustainability could be both enjoyable and rewarding.
Event details
Ipswich EcoFest and Trashion Parade
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Venue: Ipswich Showgrounds, Reception Hall
- EcoFest: During the day, followed by the Trashion Parade in the afternoon
- Admission: Gold coin donation for each event
- Trashion Parade entry: $10 for the first entry, $5 for a second entry
- Entry closing date: Monday, October 26
- Organiser: Ipswich Climate Action Group
Further information is available through the sustainability program listed on Ipswich City Council’s website.
With reptile displays, environmental workshops, electric vehicles, a renewable-energy wedding and a parade of recycled fashion, organisers are hoping October 31 will demonstrate that making a difference to the environment can also be a whole lot of fun.
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