​'Cracker night' in the Territory! 1 July 2017

This was the closest I'd been to fireworks since I was a kid. It was quite exciting albeit a little scary having them explode right over your head and feel the 'debris' raining down on you. It's wild Territory style!

July 1st, NT celebrated Territory Day. Fireworks exploded, popped, crackled and flare everywhere reminiscent of Guy Fawkes night. The annual festivities mark gaining self-government in 1978. It's a huge deal in NT!

The Territorians are very proud of the diversity in their communities and include as much of that diversity as possible in their festivals and celebrations. We've been so impressed.

We went to the Katherine Showgrounds for a concert - a mixture of Vaudeville and Cabaret - and fireworks and came home covered in ash, grit and little scraps of charred paper. It was quite exhilarating!They packed close to 8pm but we could hear fireworks going much of the night. July 1st is the only day in the year when anyone over 18 can buy and let off fireworks; something unique to the Territory.

Katherine Tales - Tall, twisted and true. Great vaudeville-cabaret show to celebrate Territory Day.