Entertainment
28 July, 2024
Artistic element of festival expands
FIRST Nations artistic displays and cultural activities will be expanded at Savannah in the Round this year after the festival was one of 13 projects statewide to receive funding from the State Government’s Grow Cultural Tourism Fund.
“We are ecstatic to be given the opportunity to extend our support of local jobs, artists and businesses at this year’s Savannah in the Round through this generous grant,” Sound Australia CEO James Dein said.
“The art activations at Savannah have always tapped into the interwoven landscape, reflecting the colours, elements, textures that are significant to the area.
“This year we are excited to see more of this from the numerous arts projects like weaving, mural painting and light projections that we will feature at the festival.
“We look forward to helping provide a platform, particularly for young and emerging artists, and First Nations artists to bring to life the creative ideas of Tropical North Queensland.”
The funding is part of the State Government’s 10-year Creative Together strategy to strengthen arts and cultural events which grow creative employment, activate communities and drive economic outcomes.
Savannah in the Round will also get a cash injection from Mareeba Shire Council.
A cash donation of $5,000 will be made to Sound Australia to help deliver the three-day festival in October. Council has been a sponsor of Savannah in the Round since the inaugural festival in 2021.
In 2023, over 17,100 people attended the festival, with more than 23,600 visitor nights being spent in the shire as a result of the event.
Sound Australia are projecting a total festival attendance of 20,000 for this year’s event on 11-13 October.
“The Savannah in the Round Festival is a premier event that showcases an impressive lineup of international and Australian country, pop, roots and rock artists, as well as Indigenous dance, storytelling, cultural displays and workshops,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“The festival continues to attract a diverse demographic and contributes to the economy in the shire. We truly reap the benefits of the festival long after it concludes.
“I have heard from visitors who experience this part of the country for the first time when joining the festival, and then you will see them coming back again and again. It truly is such a fantastic way to showcase the natural attractions, lovely weather and climate that we are known for.”
Mr Dein thanked council for its support which started from the first festival in 2021.
“We’ve always been made to feel very welcome in this community and we’re very grateful to the Mareeba Council and thank them for their ongoing support,” he said.
“An exit tourism survey from last year’s event stated that Savannah in the Round generated $5.5 million in overnight visitor expenditure in the TTNQ Region.
“Almost 50% of visitors that travel to this event are from outside the region, and they come from every state in Australia.”
