Three major events in Wagga Wagga and a film will be supported by Council's Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship 2024/25 fund.
At its Ordinary Meeting earlier this week, Council endorsed a total of $52,000 in funding under Round Two of the program towards the delivery of Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras, the Country Women's Association of NSW 2025 State Conference, Bidgee Strawberries and Cream's 2025 Easter Egg Hunt, and the Lords of the Soilsfilm.
Council's Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker said the program aims to support new and existing events and initiatives.
"We are excited to support innovative events and initiatives to deliver important economic, social and cultural benefits to the community, along with activating our public spaces, developing our destination's awareness and enlivening our city," Ms Parker said.
Lords of the Soils, by Kensington House Entertainment Pty Ltd, is a film set in the 1860s and showcases a lost way of life exploring the complex relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of the region.
The funds received are to be directed toward the postproduction of the film, including the hiring of a local recording studio to develop the original music score, engaging a senior Wiradjuri language expert, and covering fees for a number of Wagga Wagga based vocalists and musicians to be employed on this project.
The second successful funding recipient is the Country Women's Association of NSW 2025 State Conference, hosted by the CWA Riverina Branch, to be held from 18 to 22 May 2025.
The annual conference attracts around 800 delegates, and hundreds more visitors and observers from across the state demonstrating a strong economic benefit to the city.
The third recipient is the annual Easter Egg Hunt to be held by Bidgee Strawberries and Cream on Friday 18 April 2025.
"This family-friendly event has been growing in popularity every year since it was first held in 2019," Ms Parker said.
"It's anticipated the 2025 event will attract up to 2500 attendees, with almost one-third of those coming from outside our local government area."
The fourth recipient is the Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras festival, which aims to raise awareness of and acceptance for the LGBTIQ+ community in Wagga Wagga and surrounds.
The drawcard of the event will be the parade along Baylis Street, followed by a free family-friendly celebration at the Victory Memorial Gardens on Saturday 5 April 2025.
Funding through Council's Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship program is now fully allocated for the 2024/25 financial year.
The 2025/26 program of funding will open in February 2025 for events and initiatives held between 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
