It’s no secret that Maitland is making a name for itself for the brilliant festivals it hosts.
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A new council report that spells out the financial rewards of Maitland City Council’s Riverlights Multicultural Festival shows the advantage of building such a reputation.
From delicious cuisine, cultural dancing, music and colourful attire, it’s no wonder Riverlights has built a strong following in the five years since it was first held in this city.
Earlier this year, Fairfax Media praised council’s Riverlights festival for promoting the idea that we should embrace people of all cultural backgrounds in this community.
That opinion still stands. But the financial benefit of the festival, which drew about 9000 people to the city centre on one night in October, is clear.
According to the latest estimate, Riverlights pumped $1.6 million into the local economy – an event that cost council $40,000 to organise and run.
The Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, told Fairfax Media in October that more and more people were talking about the Riverlights Festival.
“It was a wonderful event, yet another great success for Riverlights,” he said.
“It was fantastic to see such a large crowd, particularly so many in their native dress, performing their dances and with the food on offer. It was a massive crowd, I just couldn’t get over how many people there were.”
Councillors understandably welcomed financial findings, put together by council’s Marketing and Communications manager Rachel MacLucas, at this week’s council meeting. “Riverlights has positioned itself as an outstanding and highly regarded, proactive social and educational event in helping to promote multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion to the general public,” the report noted. “It creates many opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
“Its reach has extended beyond Maitland to make it a regional visitor attraction and ensures that even the most marginalised communities have an opportunity to be represented.”
We should welcome any event that contributes to both this region’s cultural fabric and economic outlook so lucratively.
Congratulations should go to Maitland City Council for its organisation of such a worthwhile event, as well as everyone who attended the festival and helped make it a success.
