Ride, Cheer, And Celebrate At The BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival

The highly anticipated 2024 BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival returns this weekend for two thrilling days on 31 August and 1 September, promising a vibrant mix of cycling, community spirit, and 2024 Paris Paralympics LIVE screen.

The festival will feature screenings of the Paralympics throughout the weekend, with a special focus on two Mackay Paralympians, Josh Nicholson and Brayden Foxley-Conolly, who are proudly representing Australia in Wheelchair Rugby. Both athletes are supported by Disabled Sport & Rec Mackay (DSRM), one of the festival’s key beneficiaries.

BMA River 2 Reef Ride Event Director, Nikki Giles, expressed her excitement about the festival’s expanded format and the chance to showcase the Paralympics in such a meaningful way.

"This year’s BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival is set to be an unforgettable weekend for the Mackay community. We are thrilled to be a Paralympics LIVE site, where we can gather to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Paralympians.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Mackay, and we’re inviting everyone to be part of it, whether you are participating in our event or not, everybody is welcome."

In addition to the live Paralympics coverage, the festival will also feature a free screening of the classic film “Cool Runnings” at 4:30 pm on Saturday, 31 August. Families can enjoy food trucks, kids' activities, and a festive atmosphere as they take in the film and the live sports action.

Linda Murry, General Manager of BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s Hay Point Coal Terminal, highlighted BMA’s long-standing commitment to the Mackay community.

“This year’s event, coinciding with the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the resilience and achievements of our Paralympians with the entire community," she said.

Mayor Greg Williamson said all the stars had aligned to combine the Paralympic LIVE site with the BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival.

“It’s tremendous that all the pieces have fallen into place – not only will the LIVE site provide a fantastic addition to the festival, but the Paralympic broadcast also aligns perfectly with one of the funding recipients - Disabled Sport & Rec Mackay,” Mayor Williamson said.

The Paralympics LIVE site will be open to the public between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm on Saturday, 31 August, and from 6:30 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday, 1 September.

For the complete schedule of events, visit www.river2reefride.com.au

‍

The entire Mackay community is encouraged to join in the celebration, cheer on our Paralympians, and be part of this unique and inspiring event. Photos credit: Deanne Woods and Marty Strecker

‍