October 4, 2012
The new South Burnett On Show October long weekend festival looks set to be repeated after a successful debut last weekend.
According to the South Burnett Wine Industry Association, results from the promotion have been enough to warrant a re-run in 2013. And next year they’d like to expand the concept even further.
“We were very busy at our Moffatdale Ridge cellar door on both Saturday and Sunday,” SBWIA president Jason Kinsella said, “and from what I’ve heard all other wine industry members who took part in South Burnett On Show had a very good weekend too.
“It seems like it’s a popular idea with the public. So we’ll be looking at ways to make it grow in the future.”
South Burnett Tourism Association vice-president Shannon Scott agreed.
“We had a very busy three days at Taste South Burnett and other people I’ve talked with so far tell me they had a good weekend as well,” he said.
“Considering the whole idea was put together on a shoestring budget a little over a month before the new holiday weekend, we were very pleased with the positive reception it received.
“So next year I think we’ll start organising things a lot earlier. And we’d like to involve more venues and operators too, because this one one case where the more people involved, the better it is for everyone.”
Mr Scott said the idea was also very favourably received by the new Regional Tourism Board, who helped spread word about the event through their network.
“The Board is keen to see a major, region-wide Spring festival in the South Burnett because it will assist their own region-wide Spring promotions,” he said.
“Toowoomba already has the Carnival of Flowers. So if the South Burnett has South Burnett On Show, then so much the better from their point of view.”
Bernie and Judy Cooper from Crane Wines also felt the idea of a region-wide Spring festival over the new October long weekend “has legs”.
They hosted the Big Booie BBQ at their winery over the weekend and attracted more than 60 guests to an extended “lazy lunch” with live music, a BBQ and platters.
“I estimate that about 70 per cent of the people who came were locals and the other 30 percent were tourists,” Bernie said.
“That’s a good mix and it also shows that this is an idea that offers something for everyone – not just tourists.”
That feeling was echoed by Ringsfield House, which held a traditional roast beef lunch on Sunday in conjunction with Bellbird Vineyards that attracted 50 guests.
Again, most were locals and many said they’d be very happy to repeat the experience in future.
“We haven’t run anything like this before,” Ringsfield board member Nina Temperton said, “so it was a learning experience for all of us. But it went really well and we can see a future in this kind of event.”
Related articles:
- Big Weekend To Bowl Over Tourists
- Excitement Rising For Showcase Weekend
- South Burnett To Go On Show
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traditional Sunday roast beef lunch
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