Major Events Funding second round decisions out

A new seafood festival, a music festival, a sports event and a concert with two X-Factor performers have been approved funding from the second and final round of our 2015 Major Events Fund

"The focus of the fund is to select events that are unique, preferably in the off-season and over time will become self-sustaining - and then at that point Council funding will cease," says Thames-Coromandel Deputy Chief Executive Ben Day.

A total of $43,000 of funding in this round was approved by our Economic Development Committee this week. The successful applicants were:

Mercury Bay Music Festival - This is a brand new event in Mercury Bay to be held over Queen's Birthday weekend 4 - 6 June 2016. Event organisers Creative Mercury Bay says the music festival will embrace a broad range of genres including blues, jazz, folk, soul and guitar genres and promote local and international artists. The Committee approved $30,000 in Y1 and $20,000 in Y2 and $10,000 in Y3, all of which is subject to the event meeting its planned mid-winter goal of 1000 attendees, and attendance demonstrated by photos from the event and/or attendance figures. There was also a requirement to come up with compelling brand name.

Coromandel Seafood Festival - This is a new event to be held during the 23 - 26 April 2016 school holidays in Coromandel Town, with a fishing competition, seafood market, mussel fritter making, oyster shucking and fish filleting competitions and seafood cooking demonstrations. The Coromandel Business Association is behind the planned event. The Economic Development Committee approved $10,000 for 2016 towards the seafood festival event and not the fishing competition side of the event. The grant is not to be spent on promotional caps and public liability insurance is required. In Y1 the event must attract up to 1000 attendees, demonstrated by photos from the event and/or attendance figures. Funding of $5000 in Y2 and a third year of funding is dependent on meeting measurements and reporting criteria.

The K2 road cycle classic - This is an established event and one of the toughest one-day cycle challenges in the Southern Hemisphere, taking in a loop of the Coromandel. The Committee agreed to a one-off grant of $10,000 to boost chances of securing longer-term sponsorship. Funds must not be spent on prize money. Organisers must demonstrate it has attempted to source corporate sponsorship for the on-going private sector support of this event.

Live on the Lawn, Thames. This is a free, family fun event with two performances by X-factor singers Benny Tipene and Mae Valley. One is at Victoria Park in Thames and the other in Whitianga. The Committee has supported $3000 on the proviso it goes towards the payment of the artists to perform at the Thames concert in February (not the Whitianga performance in January) and that the Coromandel Good for your Soul brand is promoted through radio channels in conjunction with this event.

2015 Major Events Fund round one decisions.

Six events from around the Coromandel will benefit from an extra $120,000 over the next two years thanks to the latest round of the Major Events Sponsorship Programme.

For the first time since our 2013 Events Strategy was adopted by the Council, the Economic Development Committee has had the opportunity to invest in Major Events longer than one year because funding was secured in our 2015 Long Term Plan.
"This gives event organisers more certainty to grow their events and to attract more corporate and community sponsorship because of Council's longer-term support," says our Council's Deputy Chief Executive Benjamin Day,

"There were 14 applications for Major Events Sponsorship and it's unfortunate that we can't fund everything," says Mr Day. "While we may not be able to provide financial support to all events we do help out in other areas with concessions, licences and permits as well as promotion and marketing, which our Regional Tourism Operator Destination Coromandel also supports."

Our Economic Development Committee approved grants to help grow the following events:

1. Illume Festival of Lights will receive $25,000 over the next two years, $15,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 2016-2017, subject to a performance measure being achieved at the 2016 event. The Illume Festival has run for the past two years and is a free, family friendly event held in the first week of the July school holidays in Coromandel Town. Festival highlights include a night market, a street light parade, fireworks, live music, lanterns and entertainment for the children.

2. Brits on the Beach had $24,435 approved for the next two years, $12,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 in 2016-2017, subject to a 15% increase in participation in 2016. Celebrating all things British, this event runs from Thursday 8 October - Sunday 11 October from Whangamata, showcasing British cars, motorbikes, music and food.

3. Steam Punk the Thames receives $15,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 in 2016-2017, subject to a performance measure being achieved in the 2015 event. Held on November 13 - 15 2015 Steam Punk the Thames is a new festival which will have an array of public Steam Punk art on display, a Steam Punk Circus, street carnival and freak show. This is a free event.

4. Thunder Beach successfully obtained $10,000 2015-2016 and $7,000 in 2016-2017, subject to hitting 1000 riders in 2015. This is a Motorcycle New Zealand bikers' rally where riders tour the Coromandel loop, overnighting in Whitianga. Last year up to 300 riders participated in the event which is gaining in popularity.

5. Mindsports Festival receives $15,000 in 2015-2016 and $10,000 in 2016-2017, subject to a 15% increase in participation in its 2016 event. Now running for two years the Mindsports Festival based out of Thames is an enticing week full of games and activities for all ages, celebrating our nation's love and interest in a large range of board and card games alike. Next year's event is planned for June.

6. Rising Can Beer Festival will receive $4000 in 2015-2016, subject to further detail being provided by the event organisers to Council staff. The Hot Water Brewing Company out of Whenuakite makes its own craft beer and this event gives you a chance to enjoy good food, good music and canned beer.

ends

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