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Regional South Australia is more than doubling its events and festivals calendar in 2021-22, as part of a million-dollar boost for the sector to deliver more events to the state, more often.

Round two of the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Regional Event Fund will support 19 regional events, bringing the total number of events sponsored through the Fund this financial year to 55 – more than twice the number of events than in the previous year.

Nine of the successful events in round two are receiving sponsorship for the first time – six of which are new events to the state.

Premier Steven Marshall said the million-dollar boost for regional events is backing regional jobs and growing new and existing events right across the state.

“Thanks to additional support from the State Government for regional events, we’re creating jobs and driving economic recovery,” Premier Marshall said.

“We’ve seen regional tourism reaching record-highs, this is keeping that momentum going well into 2022 and is exactly what the industry has told us they need to attract more visitors across more events throughout the entire year, and importantly – get more people into work.”

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the expansion of South Australia’s regional event calendar is driving visitation and expenditure across the state.

“With an extra $1 million to support regional events in what’s been another challenging year, we’re bringing more events, more often to South Australia’s regions,” Mr Harrex said.

“Six events in this latest round of funding are entirely new events for our state – including a new food festival for the Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, and a new music festival for the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong region. We’re working across the industry to boost jobs and regional economies and give visitors more reasons to head out to the regions.”

Events to receive grants in round two of the Regional Event Fund include established events such as the state-wide SALA, Clare Valley Gourmet Week, and the Oakbank Easter Carnival in the Adelaide Hills. It also includes the next edition of A Little More Barossa, after its successful inaugural festival in 2021.

The Regional Event Fund is managed by the SATC, through Events South Australia, and was allocated additional funding to support more events – enabling event organisers to engage short-term specialised personnel, hire temporary infrastructure, develop strategic plans, and amplify their marketing activities.

The 2021-22 Fund supports events held from 1 September 2021 to 30 August 2022, with grants ranging from $5,000 to more than $50,000 under four categories.

Round one for 2022-23 funding will open in January 2022.

Events receiving funding in round two of the 2021-22 Regional Event Fund: