Mahbilil Festival fever sweeps over Jabiru

People from far and wide will gather in Jabiru this weekend for a huge celebration of Kakadu’s culture and to participate in one of the top end’s largest regional sports carnivals.
That’s right, Mahbilil Festival and Gurrung Sports Carnival are here and everyone is invited to join in the action in Jabiru over the next few days.
Mahbilil Festival Producer Scott Large said the festival program is once again packed with music, arts, workshops, bushfoods and fun for all ages.
“We will have a full bush foods area where you can learn traditional techniques for preparation and cooking on the coals. And of course, the ever-popular Gungerre ground oven with buffalo and veggies slow cooked over the day. And this year we are introducing a new category for the Magpie Goose cooking competition as well as the individual category - local chefs will go head to head to see who has the skills to pay the bills.”
Scott also said he is also excited about the new location of this year’s festival.
"After years of being down by the lake, it is really exciting to see Mahbilil re-invent itself in a new location. In many ways, the new park works better for a festival than the old site.  (There’s) lots of shade, lush green grass, the pool for a cool-off and lots of space for all the activities.”
The pool will be open with free entry and waterslides and play equipment for the kids during the day. The festival will also have six fully stocked food stalls serving up a range of treats, all sorts of arts and crafts and an amazing Yawk Yawk exhibition from Marrawuddi Gallery. 
“This is alongside a great program of cultural workshops for people to get involved in - natural fibre weaving, spear making, traditional painting and murle (didge) making.”

The Mahbilil Circus, in collaboration with Jabiru Area School, are sure to deliver yet another powerful hour of entertainment.
And the band line up is huge. With performances by Queensland’s Oka band, Tijuana Cartel, Kakadu’s very own Black Rock Band as well as a solo performance by Terra from Narbalek, the music line up will certainly get the stage and crowd pumping.
“We can’t wait to see the local community come down and celebrate living in this amazing place!” Scott said.