Floatfest 2017
Floatfest 2017 eyes growth with move to the 'Bridge'
Organisers of the iconic Murray River Floatfest event are eyeing targets for growth in 2017, with thousands expected to attend the family friendly festival on April 8-9. The Kookaburra Homes Floatfest17 has moved down stream to the Murray River’s largest rural city, Murray Bridge, with the new venue already attracting a raft of exciting features and supporters.
The event is focused on promoting safe on-water recreation and boosting visitation to the murray River Lakes and Coorong region. In 2016 more than 5000 people from across Australia attended the two-day riverside festival, however the Murraylands Regional Tourism Association (MRTA) believe it has the capacity to grow again in 2017.
After establishing a new head office in Murray Bridge, Kookaburra Homes has signed on as the naming rights sponsor for the event over the next two years, securing a future for Floatfest beyond next year.
The 2017 event’s formal launch was held on Tuesday 25 October 2016, where major announcements of the exciting new festival features will be revealed.
Event coordinator and MRTA Chair Jen Whitehorn is excited about Floatfest’s future.
“We’ve always known Floatfest has the potential to provide incredible economic outcomes through the region’s tourism trade,now we want to make it a reality,” Ms Whitehorn says.
“This year we are aiming to increase our attendance by another 10-20 per cent, host more exhibitors, grow the food and wine component and provide an even bigger array of family activities.
“We have secured support from Canoe SA, Royal Lifesaving SA, Rural City of Murray Bridge, the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) through Events South Australia, not to mention the investment from private sponsors as well.
“We welcome stand-up paddle boarding to the event this year, as we continue our move to ‘Paddle into the Record Books’, targeting not one, but three world records attempts.”
In previous years, the event has worked to increase on-water participation by asking the general public to be part of history in this sense. This year the Kookaburra Homes Floatfest17 event goes one step further, attempting to break the world record for:
The largest number of kayaks and canoes on the river at any one time
- The largest number of canoes/kayaks lined end-to-end along the banks of the river
- The largest number of kayaks/canoes entering the water at once
Other attractions already secured for the two-day event include tours along the river in the historic Captain Proud paddlesteamer, Dragon Boat emonstrations, kayak workshops, river safety workshops, Canoe Polo demonstrations, professional canoe races, houseboat tours, carnival style activities for children, a cultural feast, farmers’ markets, live music, caravan and camping exhibitions, and more.
With six months to go before the April 2017 festival, there is still time for potential sponsors and exhibitors to secure their spot. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Floatfest Coordinator Jen Whitehorn on 0448 533147 or email mrta@hotmail.com.au to find out more.
Address
Sturt Reserve Murray Bridge SA 5253 Australia