A packed Cootamundra Wattle Time Fair. Photo: Cootamundra Wattle Time Fair and Street Parade.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) is seeking expressions of interest from local organisations to plan and manage the Starry Nights festivals and events.
CGRC received a $121,600 grant from the Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW, to fund the Wattle Time Festival, Festival of Gundagai, Christmas on Sheridan Street Party and Sparkling Streets Christmas Party.
The funding will go towards two events each in Cootamundra and Gundagai.
The Starry Nights festivals and events aim to bring neighbours, friends, and families together to celebrate and showcase local talent and the region’s attractions.
CGRC Tourism and Economic Development Officer, Ms Leah Sutherland highlighted the value of local groups managing the events.
“To have a local community group plan and manage a local event keeps the event local,” Ms Sutherland said.
“They are best placed to understand what is important to the community and what makes these events successful.
“It allows them to engage with other community groups, getting them involved and expanding on opportunities that may arise through that interaction.”
Ms Sutherland said the council wanted local organisations and community service groups to take ownership of these important occasions to ensure growth and longevity.
“The continuous improvement and development of these events benefits the community as a whole,” Ms Sutherland added.
The council has allocated $36,500 for each festival event and $24,300 for the Christmas events. It invites local community groups in both Cootamundra and Gundagai to submit their expression of interest if they wish to organise any of the above events.
Wattle Time Festival is a cherished event in the Cootamundra community. It marks the start of warmer weather and the blooming of the iconic Cootamundra Wattle. Street parades, market stalls, live entertainment, and children’s amusements have all made Wattle Time a generational event.
The Gundagai Festival is a new event set to showcase local talent and highlight the beautiful aspects of Gundagai. It will also grow and foster the popular Producer Markets.
Christmas on Sheridan provides locals with the opportunity to showcase their talents, and attendees with the opportunity to shop for unique and thoughtful gifts while supporting local businesses.
Sparkling Street Community Christmas Party Cootamundra aims to foster the ‘shop local’ theme and encourage people to meet up with friends and family for a night of entertainment, great food, and Christmas cheer.
- Wattle Time Festival will be held on 7 September (EOI closing date: 19 July)
- Gundagai Festival will be held on 21 September (EOI closing date: 19 July)
- Christmas on Sheridan Street Party in Gundagai will be held on 6 December (EOI closing date: 30 August)
- Sparkling Streets Christmas Party in Cootamundra will be held on 12 December (EOI closing date: 30 August).
Any successful organisation will be required to enter a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which will cover the event objectives, roles and responsibilities, regulatory conditions, complying with the funding agreement, procurement procedures (with a strong local government area first focus) and financial arrangements.
A specific budget will be provided for all aspects of the event organisations (in accordance with the grant application).
For more information about the Starry Nights festivals and events or to submit your expression of interest, visit the Cootamundra Gundagai-Regional Council website.
Original Article published by Shri Gayathirie Rajen on Region Riverina.
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