One of the Port’s newest, food-centric festivals has received a $20,000 boost from the state government.
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Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald MLC, announced in Nelson Bay on Wednesday that Love Seafood was one of five events that would receive a cash injection for its staging in 2017.
“Events play an important role in reflecting the unique character of Port Stephens,” Mr MacDonald said.
“I am delighted that Destination Port Stephens will receive funding from round two of the 2017 Incubator Event Fund.
“This wonderful event will receive support to help deliver a superior visitor experience and raise [its] profile, driving increased awareness and attendance to Port Stephens.”
The fund, managed by Destination NSW, offers one-off annual grants of up to $20,000 to those staging an event for the first or second time.
The money is to be used for elements such as staging, venue hire, research, marketing and publicity.
The month-long festival aims to celebrate one of the Port’s natural bountiful assets, its seafood, and the people in the industry.
The festival will again return to Port Stephens in August 2017.
This year’s program features appearances in the Bay by celebrity chefs and television cooks, seafood cruises, a foodie’s weekend at d’Albora Marinas, cooking classes, demonstrations for adults and children and discounted seafood lunches at 15 eateries.
Adam Marshall, the NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, congratulated Love Seafood organisers on their successful application for funding.
“Attracting visitors to rural and regional NSW is a top priority for the NSW Government,” Mr Marshall said.
“This fund will have a positive impact on local hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, stimulating tourism across regional and rural NSW and creating more jobs.”
