Regional events double in 2021-22
Regional South Australia is more than doubling its events and festivals calendar in 2021-22, as part of a million-dollar boost for the sector to deliver more events to the state, more often.
Round two of the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Regional Event Fund will support 19 regional events, bringing the total number of events sponsored through the Fund this financial year to 55 – more than twice the number of events than in the previous year.
Nine of the successful events in round two are receiving sponsorship for the first time – six of which are new events to the state.
Premier Steven Marshall said the million-dollar boost for regional events is backing regional jobs and growing new and existing events right across the state.
“Thanks to additional support from the State Government for regional events, we’re creating jobs and driving economic recovery,” Premier Marshall said.
“We’ve seen regional tourism reaching record-highs, this is keeping that momentum going well into 2022 and is exactly what the industry has told us they need to attract more visitors across more events throughout the entire year, and importantly – get more people into work.”
South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the expansion of South Australia’s regional event calendar is driving visitation and expenditure across the state.
“With an extra $1 million to support regional events in what’s been another challenging year, we’re bringing more events, more often to South Australia’s regions,” Mr Harrex said.
“Six events in this latest round of funding are entirely new events for our state – including a new food festival for the Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, and a new music festival for the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong region. We’re working across the industry to boost jobs and regional economies and give visitors more reasons to head out to the regions.”
Events to receive grants in round two of the Regional Event Fund include established events such as the state-wide SALA, Clare Valley Gourmet Week, and the Oakbank Easter Carnival in the Adelaide Hills. It also includes the next edition of A Little More Barossa, after its successful inaugural festival in 2021.
The Regional Event Fund is managed by the SATC, through Events South Australia, and was allocated additional funding to support more events – enabling event organisers to engage short-term specialised personnel, hire temporary infrastructure, develop strategic plans, and amplify their marketing activities.
The 2021-22 Fund supports events held from 1 September 2021 to 30 August 2022, with grants ranging from $5,000 to more than $50,000 under four categories.
Round one for 2022-23 funding will open in January 2022.
Events receiving funding in round two of the 2021-22 Regional Event Fund:
Event |
Event date |
Region |
Copper & Stone Music Festival |
5 February 2022 |
Clare Valley |
Fringe Mount Gambier |
25 March – 2 April 2022 |
Limestone Coast |
Jazz in the Park |
26 March 2022 |
Fleurieu Peninsula |
Yorke Peninsula's Saltwater Classic |
2 & 3 April 2022 |
Yorke Peninsula |
Feast on the Foreshore |
15 April 2022 |
Yorke Peninsula |
Oakbank Easter Carnival |
16 April 2022 |
Adelaide Hills |
SALT Festival |
22 April – 1 May 2022 |
Eyre Peninsula |
Adelaide XCO |
23 & 24 April 2022 |
Adelaide |
Vogalonga Down Unda |
24 April 2022 |
Fleurieu Peninsula |
Clare Valley Gourmet Week |
13 May – 22 May 2022 |
Clare Valley |
The English Ale |
14 May 2022 |
Adelaide Hills |
True Grit |
14 & 15 May 2022 |
Riverland |
Coober Pedy Opal Festival |
18 June 2022 |
Flinders Ranges & Outback |
Shoots N Roots 2022 |
25 June 2022 |
Murray River, Lakes & Coorong |
Fleurieu Food Festival |
1 August – 31 August 2022 |
Fleurieu Peninsula |
SALA |
1 August – 31 August 2022 |
State-wide |
A Little More Barossa |
1 August – 31 August 2022 2022 |
Barossa |
Nature Festival SA |
24 September – 3 October 2022 |
State-wide |
Ceduna Oysterfest |
30 September – 2 October 2022 |
Eyre Peninsula |
More information: https://tourism.sa.gov.au/support/regional-event-fund