Who doesn’t enjoy a chuckle at a funny and clever cartoon or comic strip? Guaranteed laughs can be had at the Bunker Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour from 28 August to 20 September when some of the best cartoons of 2010 will be on display.

All finalists in the 22nd annual Rotary Cartoon Awards will be exhibited at the Gallery. The special theme this year is Social Networking, with other categories include Political, Open, Sports, Manga, Comic Strip and Caricature.

Year after year, Coffs Harbour’s Rotary Cartoon Awards attract submissions by the best cartoonists in Australia and beyond. This year, cartoons, caricatures and comic strips were received from 85 talented cartoonists, including 30 international entries.

The Rotary Cartoon Awards competition recognises the best of Australian and international cartoons with prizes totalling more than $10,000.

Have a stroll around the historic bunker, which has been converted into a quirky art gallery, to view the finalists’ entries in this year’s Award on the walls.

If after seeing all the finalists, you’re in for more, you’re in luck. All entries that didn’t make it into the final round will be available for viewing in folders. More folders can also be found in the foyer where you can browse through the incredible number of cartoons that were entered in previous years.

The Bunker is a cool, fun and very affordable destination that’s perfect for a hot or rainy day.

The Bunker Cartoon Gallery, located on John Champion Way near the Hogbin Drive/Albany Street roundabout in Coffs Harbour, is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and regular entry is just $2 for adults and $1 for children.

For more information, call the Bunker Gallery on 6651 7343.

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In just a few years, Toast Urunga has become one of the Coffs Coast's most popular food-themed festivals, drawing thousands of visitors to a beautiful waterside location for a day of great food, live music and good company.

The event is held on Father's Day, which this year falls on Sunday 5 September. It's a fabulous event for everyone, whether you're celebrating Father's Day or not.

Toast Urunga celebrates the very best local foods and wines of the Mid North Coast. Live music by a variety of performers, from modern to classic, adds to the festive atmosphere.

Set in beautiful Morgo Street Reserve adjacent to the estuary of the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers, the festival has everything that's needed for a perfect day out.

Relax in the shade with a glass of wine and a platter of fine food while enjoying the soothing sounds of a string quartet, try some local curries or take part in a tango dancing class.

Gourmands will be able to feast on fresh local oysters, try macadamia nuts from nearby orchards or indulge in some great Asian food.

Kids will have plenty of opportunities to be entertained and entertain themselves, with a jumping castle, face painting, sand wizardry and much more.

Adults will be pleased to know there will be more than 40 stalls offering a beautiful selection of our region’s great cuisine, boutique beers and outstanding wines.

Bring a blanket or chairs so you can find a good spot to relax and enjoy the food, music and views.

There will be continuous musical entertainment on two different stages, while cooking demonstrations are held in a large marquee and you can admire local artworks at a visual arts display.

The food, wine and music festival is held at Morgo Street Reserve, nestled between Urunga’s little town centre and the mouth of the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers, which join together before reaching the ocean.

While you’re there, don't forget to take a stroll on the scenic boardwalk that runs along the estuary. Walk all the way to the end and you’ll be rewarded with great views – you may even spot a few Humpback whales on their way back south.

Toast Urunga takes place between 10am and 4pm. Entry is just a $2 gold coin donation for adults.

For more information about things to do and see on Coffs Coast, contact the Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 070 or email tourism@coffscoast.com.au.

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Coffs Coast’s liveliest, funniest and most popular annual festival is almost here again: The Coffs Harbour International Buskers & Comedy Festival, which runs for a whopping 10 days!

This year's festival starts with a Gala Premier Dinner Show on Friday 24 September, followed by the first of many days of free buskers shows on Saturday 25 September and it runs daily through to Sunday 3 October.

That's right - it very conveniently takes place in the NSW School Holidays so as many of you as possible will be able to come and enjoy the shows.

This must-see festival will feature more than 120 performances in 29 different shows, spread over 10 days in at least a dozen different locations in and around Coffs Harbour.

So, who's coming? The festival will be headlined by the incredibly funny, fast-talking Alfred and Seymour, better known as the Blackstreet Boyz from the US, who are back again by popular demand.

Other international acts include everyone's favourite scary monster from New Zealand The Gargoyle; 'mobile cartoon' Clown Loto from Japan; and The Flash from Boston US who will be bringing their incredible acrobatic skills to Australia for the very first time.

The fantastic Australian acts include excellent climber of vertical objects Mr Spin from Adelaide; wisecracking whipcrackers The Crack Up Sisters from Brisbane; the guy who can play just about every instrument and plays at major festivals Juzzie Smith; indoor water ballet madness with Tutti Frutti; dangerous antics by FIRE-JAX; Australia's Got Talent's popular Mini Bike Stunt Team; and the 15-year old, freshly crowned World Junior Juggling Champion Cody Harrington.

Evening comedy shows will also be held and you can look forward to stand-up comedians Jeremy Ellwood from New Zealand, and Australians Harley Breen and Josh Earl, who both performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

These artists will be joined by a dazzling array of homegrown talents and roving acts on the streets and all over town.

The Festival opens with the Official Launch Dinner on Friday evening. Early bookings are required for this spectacular gala event, which features a 3-course dinner and preview of buskers’ shows at C.Ex Coffs in the heart of the city.

Plenty of free shows will be held in Coffs Harbour’s City Square on many days, with an All Day City Centre Spectacular planned for Wednesday 29 September. In addition to the buskers and musicians, 150 spectacular hot rods and vintage cars will also converge on the CBD from 9am that day.

Check the program and you’ll see there will also be performances at many other venues, including Woolgoolga Beach Reserve, Harbourside Markets, Coramba Hotel, Sawtell RSL, Park Beach Holiday Park, Ce.X Club in Coffs and Woolgoolga.

A Battle of the Buskers Bands will also be held for the first time, taking place at Coffs Harbour's Hoey Moey.

Two outdoor evening shows for the whole family will be held in the beautiful gardens of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October. A special, ticketed Kids’ Buskers Day will take place at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club on Tuesday 28 September.

And the festival is not just fun for kids and families. Hilarious comedy shows for adults only will take place at the Sawtell RSL and Coffs Harbour’s Pier Hotel.

Most shows are free to the public, but remember to bring some money for the busker's hat!

For more information about the International Buskers and Comedy Festival, including information about artists and details of times and venues, visit the Buskers & Comedy Festival website

Accommodation packages are on offer from various resorts and motels throughout Coffs Harbour. For enquiries, contact the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 070 or email tourism@coffscoast.com.au

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Coffs Coast art lovers are in for a treat in October when The Archibald Prize 2010 comes to the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery. It’s the only place on the NSW North Coast the exhibition has included in its regional tour.

The Achibald Prize, awarded by the Art Gallery of NSW, is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art awards. Since its inception in 1921, the Archibald Prize has been awarded to some of Australia’s most important artists.

JF Achibald’s primary aims were to foster portraiture, support artists and perpetuate the memory of great Australians.

This year, there were no fewer than 849 entries for the Prize. Only the finalists will be on display in the exhibition. Of course, this includes the winning portrait of singer/songwriter Tim Minchin by artist Sam Leach.

The exhibition at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery runs from 4 to 27 October. During these 23 days, the Gallery will be open every day, including weekends, from 10am to 4pm.

Entry to the Gallery to see this world-class exhibition is only $2 per person. This is your chance to marvel at the best of our country’s portraiture right in the heart of Coffs Harbour. No need to fly or drive to Sydney and pay a $15 entry fee!

A special Opening Night function will be held on Monday 4 October. Tickets ($20 including refreshments and entertainment) are limited and must be bought in advance from the Gallery.

For more information, contact the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery on (02) 6648 4863.

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