From browsing through the city’s various market stalls, to joining a nude charcoal art class, or enjoying a show at the Civic Centre, there is a lot for people of all ages to enjoy in Ipswich this month.
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Ipswich
Celebrating Oktoberfest with the Marburg Pacing Association. Their event is scheduled for October 25 and will feature boutique beers, the finals of their Young Drivers Championship Series and German food like sauerkraut and kranskies. There will also be free family entertainment, a supervised waterslide and a rock climbing wall. There will be $4 stubbies, racing and great food. Entry is $5 for adults, $3 for pensioners and the first 100 tickets sold through the gate get a $5 betting voucher.
Unleash your inner artist
Get crafty this October with Sip ‘n’ Dip Ipswich at one of their many classes this October.
Participants can choose from a range of classes, such as making clay earrings on October 2, paint a paranormal experience at Goodna Cemetery on October 10, take in a pottery class on October 17, join the nude charcoal still life class on October 22 or learn how to pour paint on canvases on October 24.
For a full list of activities held this month, follow the links to visit their website.
Ghost tours of Ipswich Cemetery
Be led by a lantern on an intimate two hour ghost tour on Saturday, October 17, October 30 and October 31 with an eerie tour guide and hear 13 real ghost stories of real haunted graves and real haunted sites in Ipswich about forgotten graves, business tycoons, statues that move and bushrangers. The true tales are researched from archives, libraries, former grave diggers and local residents. The tour will be held between 7.30-9.30pm. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for concession card holders, seniors and students, and $20 for people aged between 10-17. Book through Brisbane Ghost Tours.
The Ipswich Showplace Markets
Get your Sunday morning off to a great start by visiting the Ipswich Showplace Markets. The markets have an artisan feel, and focus on craft, food and produce, as well as great kids’ entertainment. Entry is a gold coin, and the markets are also dog friendly. The markets are held on Sundays from 7am-noon, with this month’s markets to be held on October 4, 11, 18 and 25.
The Ipswich Car Boot Markets are also held on the first Saturday of the month from 8am-noon, which will be held on October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Both markets are held at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Warwick Road.
Walloon Markets
These dog friendly markets are held on the first Sunday of each month, with this month’s event to be held on Sunday, October 4. Held at the Waterlea Estate at 41 Parkland Drive Walloon, this market offers local produce, plants, skin care, handmade clothing and more. For more information check out Walloon Markets.
Test your trivia
Do you know lots of random facts over a wide array of categories including music, movies, sport and current affairs? Put your brain to the test at the Tuesday Trivia nights hosted by the Orion Hotel in Springfield. It costs only a gold coin to participate, and there is the chance to win a weekly jackpot prize. Trivia nights will be held on October 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 7-10pm. The Orion Hotel is located inside the Orion Springfield Central shopping complex.
Let’s Chalk About Mental Health
To celebrate Mental Health Week, which runs from October 10-18, Orion Springfield Central is encouraging customers to chalk messages of support to help break the stigma of mental health. Ipswich residents are being encouraged to take part in the Let’s Chalk About Mental Health initiative by creating their own artwork or messages of support on their own driveways or footpaths.
Experience the power of a V8 race car
Jump into the front seat of a Holden or Ford V8 Race Car or a brand new Mustang and make your way around the infamous Queensland Raceway in Willowbank. Racing enthusiasts can take to the track on October 10 from 7-11.30am, and October 25 from 7-11.30am. Follow the links to book.
See Will Scarlet live
As an original member of the 1970s Australian sensation ‘The Silver Studs’, Will Scarlet has been a dynamic singer and performer for more than four decades. Will’s gut-wrenching raw vocal power and songwriting talents has ensured he is placed amongst the best live international blues recording artists in the world. This veteran blues performer will be bringing his biggest hits to the Ipswich Civic Centre on Friday, October 16, with the show beginning at 7.30pm. Tickets start at $25 per person. Follow the links to book on the Ipswich Civic Centre page early so you don’t miss out.
Drag Racing Championships
Racers from across Queensland will descend on the Willowbank Raceway on Saturday, October 17 to compete for a prestigious QDRC trophy and Track Champion status.
The racers will be delivering high-octane action for both racers and spectators from 9am-6pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for children. Follow the links to the Willowbank Raceway website to secure your ticket.
Luncheon to raise money for cancer research
Don your best pink outfit, grab your girlfriends and head to Club Services Ipswich this month, the club is hosting a luncheon to raise money for breast cancer research. The Project Pink Luncheon includes a two course set menu, a glass of bubbly on arrival, as well as a silent auction, raffles, lucky door prizes and guest speakers. Tickets cost $19.90 per person, with the luncheon to be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 11am. Bookings are essential.
The Gruffalo, live on stage
One of fiction’s most beloved children’s characters is coming to life at the Ipswich Civic Centre this month. The on-stage adaptation of The Gruffalo’s Child features a trio of bright new performers, dazzling costumes, a number of sing-a-long songs and puppetry which is sure to leave the audience laughing and amazed. This performance is suitable for children aged three and over. Single tickets start at $20 per person, or $15 each for a family or groups with more than four people. The show will be held on Thursday, October 22, beginning at 6pm. Follow the links to the Civic Centre website to book.
All Bike Day 2020
All things two wheeled will be celebrated at Willowbank Raceway on Saturday, October 24, at the All Bike Day, which will be held at Queensland’s premier drag racing facility. Bike enthusiasts will be able to compete across a range of brackets including Pro Open Bike, Modified Bike, True Street Bike, LAMS, Harley and Cruiser, Ladies, Nostalgia as well as take in a range of demonstrations. Tickets are $20 for adults or $18 for children.
Neil Diamond Tribute Show
Head over to Club Services Ipswich on Saturday October 24 for a night of free entertainment with the award winning Steve Cummins.
The show starts at 8pm, bookings are essential for pre-show dinner. No reserve seating will be available.
Live music at the Commercial Hotel
Join Harvey, Al and PG from Blues Arcadia for a Sunday afternoon session on the deck of the Commercial Hotel in Redbank. Performing their songs as a stripped-back trio, this is a rare and intimate insight into the music they’ve crafted together and the songs that have influenced them through their careers. This is a family-friendly event, and free to attend on Sunday October 25 at 2pm. The Commercial Hotel Redbank is located at 72 Brisbane Rd, Redbank.
See priceless art pieces at the Art Gallery
The Ipswich Art Gallery currently has a number of exhibitions on display for art lovers to enjoy.
Ipswich-based artist Kylie Stevens currently has a number of works on display as part of the Ways of Water exhibit. By incorporating the natural elements of river water and earth, each work contains the very essence of the landscape it represents.
Artist Robert Moore also has a number of his creations on display for Th Amberley Series, which celebrates 100 years of the Royal Australian Air Force and 80 years of RAAF Base Amberley.
This display features works created by Robert Moore when he was commissioned to undertake an 8-week residency at the RAAF Base Amberley in 2001. The works depict the iconic F1-11 fighter bomber (retired in 1998), the Caribou carrier aircraft (retired in 2009), along with the tag system for tools used in aircraft maintenance.
Younger kids will also enjoy the Wind Tubes exhibition. Wind Tubes is a hands-on exhibition that challenges you to make a flying creation out of everyday materials and launch it into large, clear vertical tubes of moving air. It’s a playful way to explore the effect that moving air has on objects. The Ipswich Art Gallery is located in D’Arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich.
Follow the links to the Ipswich Art Gallery’s website for more information.
Beautiful shells on display at The Workshops Rail Museum
A new exhibition featuring Nacre has opened at The Workshops Rail Museum. Also referred to as ‘mother-of-pearl’, it is the iridescent lining found on the inner shell of many molluscs including pearl oysters, several marine snails and some cephalopods such as the nautilus species.
As a commodity, nacre has been collected, used, traded and sold across land and sea for millennia. Many Eastern, Western and Pacific cultures place high value on nacre’s iridescent beauty. It is a highly-prized commodity in many cultures and is used in items to embellish, decorate, signify power, pay tribute or confer protection.
Its applications include religious objects, ornaments, personal adornment, fashion accessories, musical instruments, utilitarian and domestic implements and architectural features. This display showcases specimens and objects held in the museum’s collections that illustrate the diverse and imaginative ways that humans have shaped and used this iridescent substance.
Put the pedal to the metal at Queensland Raceway
Drivers who wish to test out their wheels and latest equipment can check out their car’s performance at the Friday Night Drift Practice at Queensland Raceway. The night features two drift circuits that are run simultaneously, as well as the skid pan next to the control tower. The next event will be held on Friday, October 30 from 6-10pm.
Skate series, Springfield
Skateboarders of all ages and abilities will be showing off their skills this month at the Bob Gibbs Skatepark in Springfield for the Etnies Street Series Skateboarding contest. The event will be held until Saturday, October 31.
Japanese Tea Ceremony at Nerima Gardens
Taste and experience a piece of Japanese culture without leaving the country by attending a traditional tea ceremony at Nerima Gardens. Guests will enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful gardens before participating in the Japanese Tea Ceremony; a traditional cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha (powdered green tea). Those who wish to participate in the ceremony will have the chance to do so, with all participants required to take off their shoes and sit on the floor which is covered with Tatami Mats.
Tea Ceremonies will be held up until October 31. Bookings are required. Nerima Gardens is located inside the picturesque Queens Park.
Halloween Party
On the night of Saturday October 31, the night when everything spooky is celebrated the Commercial Hotel at Redbank is encouraging you to get dressed up and come celebrate with them. Their Halloween party will run with drink specials from 7pm to midnight and band Double Vision will play live. There will also be prizes for the best costume!
