About the Festival
The Compassionate Stakes has grown. What began as Canberra's cruelty-free race day is now a full festival of kind living, and it's not like any market or fair you've been to.
Yes, there's incredible plant-based food, live music, circus and dance. But this is a festival you are immersed into, not one to just wander through.
Bring some clothes you're done with to swap for new favourites at the clothing swap. Learn to mend your favourite jumper at the mending station, or turn a broken plate into something beautiful with the Japanese art of kintsugi. Watch a cooking demo and leave inspired. Send the kids to a Kids Zone that runs games and races all day. Have a crack at something new on the Have-a-Go Lawn. And every hour or so, stop everything to cheer a field of giant inflatable T-Rexes and unicorns thundering down the race track.
Every stall, station and performance connects to one of four pillars: Food (eat kindly), Fibre (wear kindly), Fun (play kindly) and Footprint (tread kindly). Together they're the launch of Compassion 2 Action Month, a month of inspiration for kinder living. You'll taste, wear, play and walk your way through all four, and you'll leave with a full belly, a mended jumper and at least one new skill.
What: T-Rex & Unicorn Novelty Races
The Compassionate Stakes features compassionate Canberran's racing in giant inflatable T-Rex and Unicorn costumes to make cruelty ancient history! Races and Dance-offs for grown ups and kids can sign up to race in dedicated kids events too! Information about horses and animal racing will be available. Amazing food with Au Lac Vietnamese Street food, a vegan sausage sizzle and baked goods will be available. Prizes and entertainment abound.
Where: Glebe Park (down near the Rotunda)
Join hundreds of people in Canberra's City for the return of this fun, feel-good event!
When: SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 10 am - 3 pm
10:30 am - THE BIG BANG
10:50 am - REX RAMPAGE
11:10 am - ENCHANTED ESCAPE
11:30 am - (KIDS RACE 1) TINY TITAN TROT
11:50 am - (KIDS RACE 2) BABY DINO BOUNCE
12:10 pm - REPTILIAN RELAY
12:30 pm - MYTHICAL MAYHEM
12:50 pm - DINO DANCE OFF
1:20 pm - (KIDS RACE 3) PREHISTORIC PALS RELAY
1:40 pm - (KIDS RACE 4) DINOSAUR-EGG & SPOON RACE
2:00 pm - RAINBOW RUN
2:20 pm - JURASSIC JUGGLE
2:40 pm - EGG-STINCTION DASH
3:10 pm - COMPASSIONATE STAKES - THE GRAND FINAL
Why: Having fun shouldn't involve cruelty
Each year in Australia, more and more people are deciding that entertainment that relies on others having a bad time are no fun. Say Nup to the Cup! We all enjoy getting dressed up and having a good time with friends, but watching animals suffering is no-one's cup of tea. At Little Oak Sanctuary we currently care for three horses rescued from the racing industry, you can read their stories by clicking below.
Little Oak Sanctuary - Veggie Sausage Sizzle
VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD
Dessert Quartets
Baked Goodies
