A POPULAR Port MacDonnell seaside festival has received a funding boost from the state government.
The Port MacDonnell Bay Festival was one of 37 regional events and festivals held across South Australia which shared in $531,500 in the latest round of the South Australian Tourism COmmission’s Regional Event Fund.
The fund aims to support the development of new and innovative regional events and grow existing events while also driving visitation and economic stimulus across the regions.
The 2024-2025 fund supports events which are staged from September 1 this year until August 31, 2025.
Last held in 2020, the festival will return next year with a refreshed festival format aiming to appeal to a broader audience both intra and interstate.
Events on offer for the event will include culinary experiences, immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences and a citizen-science meets art project.
The event was originally scheduled for February this year but the Port MacDonnell Bayside Festival Association made the decision to postpone the event due to conflicting events on the same day leading to vendors and volunteer staff being unavailable.
Festival spokesperson Stephen Johnstone said it was an exciting opportunity for local businesses to come together to celebrate Port MacDonnell with thousands of festival goers.
“After a five-year hiatus, the reimagined festival will benefit from the Regional Event Fund support, allowing us to spread the word far and wide, enticing people to discover what makes Port MacDonnell such a special destination,” Mr Johnstone said.
“We want the Bay Festival to grow year on year and gain national and international attention for Port MacDonnell as a world-class nature and sustainable tourism destination.”
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said she was thrilled to see such a diverse range of events supported in this year’s fund.
“Delivered through the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Regional Event Fund is an important initiative that supports a thriving events calendar across our state, helping trigger visitation as those thinking about exploring our state commit to a trip,” Ms Bettison said.
“With 43 cents in every tourism dollar spent in the regions, it is important we continue to drive visitation across regional South Australia and this fund aims to do just that.”
Mount Gambier Fringe Festival was also successful in the funding with the event planned for March and April next year.
