welcome to Alice Springs
Monday 8 September 2008 - 3.51pm CST
currently 29 °c Fair forecast max 26°c min 14°c
community calendar event
2008 Imparja Camel Cup
place Blatherskite Park Show Groundstime 11.00am 12 July
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- the camel cup
The Imparja Camel Cup is an iconic event on the local and NT Tourism Calendar.
With over 35 years of great racing, the Cup is Australia’s longest running Camels racing event. The first Camel Race was run in 1970 in the dry Todd River Bed as a bet between two mates, Noel Fullerton and Keith Mooney-Smith, and was an added attraction at the Alice Springs Centenary Year Celebrations.
If you're looking for a fun event not just for your family and friends, the Imparja Camel Cup is it! Not only do you get a good laugh just by watching the races (guaranteed that no two races are the same) you will also be entertained by fun and interaction between races, with plenty of prizes to be won and lots of great local art, craft and food stalls.
The Camels are not as they seem: the dedicated ships of the desert destined to serve their master. These magnificent beasts can easily spit over three meters, have been known to bite, snarl and generally prefer to do thing at their own pace.
The riders are either heroes or crazy! Either way, all of these bridled passions make for dynamic viewing, with camels easily conquering the riders during the day!
The start of the race, with up to 15 camels, is confusing ... some off in good stride, others still grounded, some going backwards; it's a nightmare for riders and handlers, but spectacular for spectators - a camel in full stride needs the rider to hang on for dear life!
Come on down and join in the fun of Australia's Original and Premier Camel Race.
Contact Details:
Ph: (08) 8952 6796
The Alice Springs Town Council suggests checking with the event organiser before making any life-changing decisions based on this information.