Shucked seafood, live music on the riverbank and a showcase of local makers are on the way, after MidCoast Council handed out $88,000 to bring big events to the region.
Eighteen applicants have scored funding in Round Two of Council’s Events and Festivals Sponsorship program, under the General Events and Festivals category.
The money is aimed at large-scale events and festivals that draw visitors, support the local economy and show off the best of the MidCoast. They also give residents the chance to get involved and local businesses the chance to cash in.
Among the events to win funding are:
- Beats on the Bank, an all-ages music festival in Taree showcasing emerging MidCoast performers and Australian touring artists on Biripi Country.
- Shuck & Shell Sustainable Seafood Festival, featuring Wallis Lake producers, local chefs, live demonstrations, regional food, and music.
- Manning Valley Makers Expo, a family-friendly expo showcasing Manning Valley artists and makers, with a focus on networking, inspiration, and small business promotion.
All the funded events will be held between 1 January and 30 June 2027.
Applications were assessed and winners chosen by Council’s Events and Festivals Sponsorship Assessment Panel, which includes Michael Graham, Nicole Turnbull, and Peter Howard.
Council is committed to attracting and supporting events that make the most of the region’s strengths, creating a vibrant, connected community and driving economic and social benefits across the Barrington Coast.
And there is more to come. Successful applicants for the NAIDOC Week and Youth Week funding rounds will be announced in the coming weeks.
The sponsorship programs are offered twice a year under Council’s Grants, Donations and Sponsorship Policy.
Organisers with plans for the second half of next year should get ready. The next round opens in early February 2027 for events held between 1 July and 31 December 2027.
For more information, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding.
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