During October each year, which is mid-spring and almost regularly perfect weather, the streets of the Cairns central business district come alive. The Cairns Reef Festival has undergone several name changes in the last 38 years, but each transformation has seen an increase in the size and diversity of the many events and activities which take place. In 1999, organisers realised their ambition to present 100 events in 9 days. For this week or so, the Cairns CBD, especially the Esplanade, becomes rather more lively and colorful than usual. Following a grand parade attended by around 60,000 spectators, various cultural food fests, street jazz festivals, ethnic dance presentations, community concerts, rock concerts, themed parties, sporting events and an enormous pool party, all take place. There's also a business 'dress down' day, where most local businesses actually go to great lengths to dress up both themselves and their premises. Even bank tellers get out of uniform, for at least a day. The Cairns Reef Festival in the year 2000 kicks off on Saturday, October 9 and officially finishes the following Saturday, though a few events do commonly occur before and after the official dates. So many people who organise and participate in the Festival volunteer their services and many end up with more things to do than they have time for. It really is a time when the entire community gets together, in body and spirit and also an excellent excuse to party hard and share some carnivale atmosphere.