South Australia`s regions come alive with festivals and events

South Australia’s regions will spring to life over the coming months with a diverse range of festivals and events on offer to entice South Australians and interstate visitors to our regional wonderlands.

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said the 24 regional events supported by the Government will draw thousands of visitors to South Australia’s regions and help to boost local economies.

Announcing the successful applicants of the 2013/14 Regional Events and Festivals Program, Mr Bignell encouraged South Australians to explore the food, art, wine and culture on offer throughout the state.

“Every part of South Australia has something special to celebrate and events are a great way to showcase what is on offer in each region, ” Mr Bignell said.

“Festivals and events create vibrancy, foster community spirit and drive tourism to the region, bringing a positive flow-on effect on local hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops and other businesses.”

Mr Bignell said the funding will go towards promotion, media and marketing activities to help ensure each event is a success.

He said successful applicants were either proven tourism drawcards that attract thousands of visitors to the state or smaller events with potential to grow.

“Whether it’s Sounds by the River, the Kangaroo Island Cup Carnival or Port Lincoln’s famous Tunarama Festival, these events attract thousands of interstate visitors, creating a welcome income boost for the respective communities, ” he said.

“Regional events are integral to the local tourism economy, attracting visitors from overseas, interstate and from within South Australia, injecting millions of dollars into regional economies.

“These diverse events give people a reason to visit the regions, making them fall in love with the area and want to come back again.”

The program incorporates the Community Events Development Fund, which gives grants up to $5000 to smaller, community-based events that have potential to grow into larger ones.

Applications were judged on their importance as tourism attractions, whether they align with the region’s brand and Destination Action Plans and if they support the Premier’s vision for a premium food and wine from our clean environment.

The successful applicants of the 2013-14 Regional Events and Festivals Program are:

6/18 Hours of Melrose – Flinders Ranges & Outback ($10, 000) – (mountain bike races)

A Brush with Art – Flinders Ranges & Outback ($6000)

Flinders Ranges Outback Epic MTB Race – Flinders Ranges & Outback ($5000)

Barossa Duathlon Championships – Barossa ($5000 in 13-14/ $5000 in 14-15)

Bay to Birdwood Classic – Adelaide Hills ($15, 000 in 13-14/ $15, 000 in 14-15)

Crush – Adelaide Hills ($20, 000)

Hoot! Adelaide Hills Jazz Festival – Adelaide Hills ($10, 000)

Winter Reds Cellar Door Festival – Adelaide Hills ($5000 in 13-14/ $5000 in 14-15)

Bay Sheffield – Adelaide ($20, 000)

Ceduna Oysterfest – Eyre Peninsula ($4000)

Qantaslink Tunarama Festival – Eyre Peninsula ($20, 000 in 13-14/ $15, 000 in 14-15)

Clare Valley Cruise – Clare Valley ($3000)

Clare Valley Gourmet – Clare Valley ($15, 000)

Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations – Limestone Coast ($15, 000)

Fork and Cork – Limestone Coast ($5000)

Fleurieu Art Prize – Fleurieu Peninsula ($15, 000)

Fleurieu Peninsula Golf Championship – Fleurieu Peninsula ($5000 in 13-14/14-15/15-16)

Goolwa Regatta Week – Fleurieu Peninsula ($10, 000)

Willunga 175 – Fleurieu Peninsula ($5000)

Bank SA Sea and Vines – Fleurieu Peninsula ($10, 000)

Kangaroo Island Cup Carnival + Gourmet Gallop – Kangaroo Island ($15, 000)

SA Truck & Ute Show – Murray River, Lakes and Coorong ($5000)

Sounds by the River – Murray River, Lakes and Coorong ($15, 000 in 13-14 and in 14-15)

Murray Man Triathlon – Riverland ($30, 000 in 13-14/ $15, 000 in 14-15)

 

Sourced from Tourism SA